Abbotsford has recorded its second murder of the year, after one of the victims of a double shooting on Hawthorne Avenue died of his injuries this week.
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) confirmed the man’s death over its Twitter account on Thursday morning. His name has not been released.
He was one of two men, ages 21 and 22, who were targeted in a drive-by shooting that occurred at a home last Thursday (March 10) in the 33300 block of Hawthorne Avenue in west Abbotsford.
The man had been in hospital in critical condition since the shooting, with IHIT announcing on Monday that they were taking over the investigation because the victim was not expected to live.
At that time, police said the other victim was in critical, but stable, condition.
Police have confirmed that they believe the shooting is linked to the ongoing Townline Hill conflict in west Abbotsford, which involves two gangs in a violent battle for drug turf.
Meanwhile, IHIT also confirmed this week that an earlier “suspicious death” they were investigating is a homicide – Abbotsford’s first of the year.
David Delaney, 63, was found deceased on Feb. 24 in his suite in the Aspen Court apartment building at 2450 Center St.
IHIT has released no further details about this incident, and said this week that they have no updates to provide.
No suspects have been charged in either murder.
Anyone with information about either of these homicides is asked to call the IHIT tip line at 1-877-551-4448 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.