UPDATE: Police say New Westminster murder was targeted hit
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has identified a man found dead in a Hume Park area basement suite as Sam Balani, 32, and say his death was the result of a targeted hit.
“Investigators have been processing the crime scene overnight and in to the day and can say this suspicious death has been confirmed as a targeted homicide,” said Sgt. Jennifer Pound of IHIT.
Police were called by a resident in the 500-block of Colby Street at 6:17 a.m. on Friday (Dec. 28) to report a disturbance in the basement suite of their home. The caller said they heard three to four bangs that sounded like gun shots, according to New Westminster Police, who later passed the case to IHIT. NWPS said they entered the basement suite with the assistance of their Emergency Response Team and located a male who appeared to be suffering from gunshot wounds.
BC Ambulance Service attended and pronounced Balani deceased at the scene.
Colby Street is near Hume Park two blocks west of East Columbia Street and just south of the Brunette River.
Balani was renting the basement suite where he was located. His family have been notified.
There have been no arrests and investigators are asking anyone with information regarding this homicide to contact the IHIT tiplines by calling 1-877-551-IHIT(4448) or by email at ihittipline@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
If you wish to remain anonymous please call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or leave a tip on their website at Solvecrime.ca.
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