Suspect charged with 2nd-degree murder in fatal shooting of 15-year-old passerby
Alfred Wong died after a stray bullet flew into his parents' car in 2018
More than four years after a teenager was killed by a stray bullet in Vancouver, a suspect has been charged with second-degree murder in relation to his death.
Vancouver police announced the charge against Kane Carter, 26, at a news conference Wednesday.
"While it has taken more than four years to arrive here, I was always confident this day would come," said Vancouver Police Chief Adam Palmer.
"I hope this arrest will bring some sense of peace to the Wong family."
The charge is a significant step forward for the years-long investigation into the death of Alfred Wong, 15, who died after a bullet flew into his parents' car on Jan.13, 2018.
The family was on their way home from dinner when a gang-related shooting unfolded in the street.
Police say Kevin Whiteside, 23, had come to Vancouver with the intention of shooting rival Matthew Navas-Rivas, 28, who had been having dinner with a woman at the nearby Indochine restaurant.
Bullets started flying as Navas-Rivas and the woman left after dinner. At the same time, the Wong family was on their way home from dinner with Alfred's older brother.
The family car pulled up to the intersection outside Indochine as the shooting was happening.
A stray bullet flew into the car and hit Wong, who was sitting in the backseat. He later died in hospital.
Vancouver police said Carter was arrested Tuesday in Gravenhurst, Ont., a town north of Toronto. He faces once count of second-degree murder in connection with Wong's death.
A spokesperson said Carter will be brought back to B.C. this week.
Palmer declined to provide more detail on the circumstances of the shooting, including how Carter might have been connected to Whiteside and Navas-Rivas, as the case is before the court.
Wong's parents did not speak at the news conference Wednesday. An officer read out a statement on the family's behalf.
"Our family would like to thank the Vancouver Police Department and any others involved in the ongoing investigation for their tireless efforts and commitment despite the difficulties of the ongoing pandemic," the statement said.
"We are optimistic that all those involved in the crime will be brought to justice. We hope that Alfred's death will be a catalyst for change in combating gang violence in the greater Vancouver area and going forward, there will be no more similar incidents."
Whiteside was also killed in the shooting.
Carter faces additional charges of second-degree murder and discharging a firearm with intent in relation to Whiteside's death.
Carter was also charged with one count of aggravated assault against a third victim, who was hit by a bullet but survived.
Navas-Rivas escaped the shooting unhurt, but only lived for a few more months. Police said he was killed in an unrelated incident in Vancouver on July 15, 2018.