One of the men killed in a targeted shooting Monday in Burnaby had ties to a group that Abbotsford Police at one time said was the dominant gang in the community.
Media reports identified Sukhveer Dhak, 27, and his bodyguard Thomas Mantel as the victims of the shooting that took place at the Executive Inn Hotel and Conference Centre on Lougheed Highway.
Dhak was connected to the Dhak-Duhre criminal organization.
In October 2010, the Abbotsford Police named the Duhre Group as the prevalent gang controlling the drug trade in this city, following the arrests of several prominent Red Scorpions, including the Bacon brothers.
More recently, police have said the gang distinctions in Abbotsford have become less clear.
Also in October 2010, Dhak's brother, Gurmit, was killed in a shooting at Metrotown mall.
On Aug. 14, 2011, Jonathan Bacon of Abbotsford was killed in a multiple-victim shooting outside a casino in Kelowna, and it has been speculated that the Dhak-Duhre Group was involved.
The following month, the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit's gang task force issued a public warning that anyone associating with the Duhre and Dhak groups could be at risk following the shooting of an associate in Surrey.
Sandip Duhre, 36, one of three brothers with a criminal history, was gunned down in January of this year at a restaurant inside the Wall Centre in Vancouver.
Although he was believed to have been living in Surrey at the time, he was known to frequent the Abbotsford area.
Sandip's oldest brother Balraj has survived three targeted shootings. The middle brother, Paul, has been less conspicuous. His only criminal history dates back to 1996, when he was charged with obstructing justice and possession of stolen property.
Prior to his death, Dhak had been on trial in B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver on drug trafficking charges.
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has taken over the murder case and IHIT spokesperson Sgt. Jennifer Pound asked that anyone with information call 1-888-551-4448.