Family of boy killed in gang crossfire in Vancouver plead for help finding killer
Credit to Author: Tiffany Crawford| Date: Wed, 14 Aug 2019 19:53:59 +0000
The family of Coquitlam teenager Alfred Wong, caught in the crossfire of a gang shooting last year, is pleading for information about his murder.
Vancouver police said on Wednesday they have evidence to suggest there are people with key information who have not spoken with police.
On January 13, 2018, a 23-year-old Vancouver man, Kevin Whiteside, and Wong, 15, were killed at East Broadway Avenue and Ontario Street near Indochine Kitchen and Bar.
“We know nothing can be done to bring Alfred back, but we think he deserves justice for his tragic death and we desperately want to know what happened that night. Without your help, the police may not be able to arrest the killer, and our son will not be able to lay in rest,” said Chelly Wong, Alfred’s mother, in a statement.
“We ask for your help in giving closure to our grief. Please help us ensure the person responsible for killing our son is held accountable. We will forever be grateful for your help.”
The parents of Alfred Wong: Samson Wong (father) and Chelly Wong (mother). Fifteen-year-old Alfred Wong was killed in January 2018. Police and his family are making a plea for people with information about the murder to speak with police.
VPD Staff Sgt. Mike Heard says they know there are people who have critical information who have refused to speak to police.
“We are making an appeal to these people to do the right thing and speak with us. Their information could help form important evidence that will make a significant difference in how this investigation plays out,” he said in a statement.
Wong was in a vehicle with his family, driving through the area, when he was killed in an exchange of gunfire between two men.
Investigators believe Whiteside was in the area to kill 28-year-old Vancouver resident, Matthew Navas-Rivas, who was at the Indochine restaurant with a woman.
As the two left the restaurant, police say another person opened fire.
The gunfire led to the deaths of Whiteside and Wong. Navas-Rivas was unharmed that night, however, he was murdered in an unrelated incident, months later, on July 15, 2018 in Vancouver. The investigation into his death continues.
Anyone who may have information about this homicide is asked to contact detectives at 604-717-0515 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.