Pubdate: Fri, 02 Oct 2009
Source: Abbotsford Times (CN BC)
Copyright: 2009 The Abbotsford Times
Contact:  http://www.abbotsfordtimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1009
Author: Rafe Arnott, Staff Writer

POLICE FIND GROW-OP, SHOT MAN

The shooting of a man in the 34200 block of Harris Road late Monday
night might be linked to a grow-op discovered at the residence next to
where the victim was found by police.

Abbotsford officers were alerted by a number of 911 "shots fired"
calls, and when they arrived on the scene they discovered a man
suffering a gunshot wound to his right foot.

A police search of the area for other victims or potential suspects
turned up the marijuana grow operation at an adjacent house.

The incident is the latest in a series of gun violence involving
grow-ops in Abbotsford, with a home sprayed by automatic gunfire in
the 34700 block of Hamon Drive in early September, and two youth sent
to hospital in late August after an attempted grow-op rip went
sideways at a home in the 2400 block of Sun Valley Crescent.

Abbotsford Const. Ian MacDonald said the wounded man in this latest
gunplay episode is not co-operating with police, but is well known to
law enforcement with dozens of violent, and drug-related incidents
involving authorities going back to 2003.

With the investigation in its early stages, MacDonald couldn't speak
directly to any gang-related connections the wounded man might have.

"Major Crime [unit] isn't drawing a link to any specific group, but
it's possible," he said.

Due to the shooting victim's silence on the matter, police are relying
on evidence at this point to build a case.

"Essentially what we've got is a man with an apparent gunshot wound to
his right foot, he's found in close proximity to a grow-op - we don't
know his specific connection to the grow-op - I wouldn't even call him
a victim.

"If it was self-inflicted or an accidental discharge are you a
victim?"

MacDonald said the home had no previous history with police as a
grow-op, but said sometimes the easiest way for criminals to get money
is to rip off other criminals.

"If [gang members] see [another gang member, or connected individual]
pulling into the driveway of a house that wasn't on their radar, all
of a sudden its going to be on their radar." 
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MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr