The victim of a shooting at a park on the border between Coquitlam and New Westminster has been identified.
The deceased was named as 20-year-old New Westminster resident Robel Kinfe Abera who whose body was found in Lower Hume Park. He died from gunshot wounds, according to police.
Officers were called to the park around 7:30 p.m. following reports of shots fired. When they arrived, Abera was already dead, and the alleged shooter was located nearby.
Police say the suspect was taken into custody without incident. The next day Sam Jafroudi, 19, was charged with second-degree murder.
Officers with the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team were called in to assist with the investigation. They say the shooting was not a random incident and that Abera and Jafroudi knew each other. It’s not believed to be related to current gang activity in the lower Mainland, according to IHIT.
“The quick response of the attending NWPD officers in identifying and arresting a suspect should be commended,” IHIT Cpl. Frank Jang said in a press release. “The work continues for IHIT as investigators will be busy completing final disclosure packages for furtherance to Crown counsel.”
IHIT did not say in what city Jafroudi lived.
The park, popular with dog walkers and picnickers, is located at 660 E Columbia in New Westminster.
Anyone with information about the case, who hasn’t spoken to police yet, is asked to contact the IHIT information line at 1-877-551-4448. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-08477.
— with files from Tri-City News
