The Vancouver Police Department maintains the investigations into the three Port Moody shootings remain active.
Photograph by: NOW , file
It will likely go down as one of the most violent years in Port Moody in recent memory, with three gang-related murders rocking the city within a four month-span.
And as 2012 draws to a close, the three shootings remain unsolved.
However, the Vancouver Police Department maintains the investigations into the three killings remain active.
"Our investigators are working extremely hard with regards to the Port Moody homicides, unsolved Vancouver homicides and every other violent crime reported to the VPD to determine who is responsible and to gather the evidence required for Crown to prosecute," said VPD spokesman Const. Brian Monatgue in an e-mail to The NOW.
The trail of violence began May 30 in the parking lot of the Port Moody Recreation Complex just after sundown.
Noted gangster Gurbinder Singh Toor was gunned down as he got out of his car on the way to a ball hockey game that evening.
There have been few leads in that case, but police believe the suspect vehicle was a Nissan Murano.
They posted pictures of a similar vehicle at the complex shortly after in an effort to generate tips and leads.
It was the first homicide in Port Moody in nearly a decade, but it wouldn't be the last of the year.
Less than a month later in June, another gangster, Randy Naicker, was shot near his truck at the corner of St. Johns and Queen Streets during rush hour.
He was the founder of the Independent Soldiers gang. Once again, no suspects have been arrested in the case. At the time, gang experts suggested it would be unlikely the shootings would ever be solved.
Montague explained homicide investigations can be difficult and may take a long time to solve.
"Each investigation has unique challenges," he said. "When it comes to homicides and other crimes related to gang activity there are definitely additional challenges surrounding the gang culture and the reluctance to cooperate with police."
In September, Joseph Markel of Port Moody was gunned down at his home in the Glenayre area in the middle of a Saturday morning.
He was believed to be an associate of the Dhak-Duhre gang. The third shooting resulted in an impromptu town hall meet-inga few days later attended by concerned Port Moody residents.
VPD reps wouldn't say how many investigators are working the three cases, but in October, Port Moody Mayor Mike Clay indicated the cost could top $1 million.
Last year, Port Moody police signed on to an integrated homicide team with the VPD. Under the agreement, the city pays $150,000 annually and assigns an officer to the team.
