Toronto police are searching for three male suspects and a vehicle in connection to the “assassination” of an alleged gang member in the parking lot of the Yorkdale Shopping Centre last year.
Michael Nguyen, 23, was killed in an execution-style shooting last March.
Nguyen and a male “associate” were leaving the Toronto-area mall when they were ambushed by a group of men dressed in black.
Police say a wounded Nguyen ran a few metres before falling to the ground, at which point he was shot several more times at point-blank range.
Homicide Det. Rob North told reporters that Nguyen, a member of the “Asian Assassins” street gang, was likely killed by rivals.
"I wouldn't say they're a specific group. What I can say is based on Mr. Nguyen's lifestyle there are many people who would rival him in his dealings," North said.
Nguyen’s friend, a 24-year-old fellow gang associate, was seriously wounded in the attack but survived.
North added that an unfired firearm was also recovered in “close proximity to the victim” but would not reveal who the gun belonged to.
Police note that Nguyen may have been involved in the drug trade but would not discuss any motives behind the attack.
The first suspect is described as a mixed-race white and Asian male, about 25-years-old, five-foot-eight to five-foot-10 with a medium-to-heavy build and short hair. His face was partially covered.
The second male is light skinned, possibly of Persian or Middle Eastern descent and in his 20s.
The third male is Asian and in his 20s, and he has a medium height and a medium-to-heavy build.
Police are also searching for a vehicle of interest that was caught on surveillance cameras fleeing the scene of the crime after the shooting.
The vehicle is described as a silver, 2004 to 2007 four-door Chevrolet Malibu Maxx hatchback.
North says that while police do not know if the occupants of the vehicle are connected to the shooting, they could provide valuable information about the case.
Police say there were thousands of people in and around the mall at the time of the murder and are urging anyone with information to contact the homicide squad.
Anyone with information about the homicide is asked to call police at 416-808-3200 or 416-808-7400, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).