Man charged with first-degree murder in "targeted" Coal Harbour shooting

A 51-year-old man has been charged with first degree murder in relation to a “targeted” shooting in Coal Harbour on April 17.

The Vancouver Police Department said Francois Joseph Gauthier has been charged with one count of first degree murder in the death of Harpreet Singh Dhaliwal, 31.

Gauthier has also been charged with one count of possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm without authorization or a license.

The BC Prosecution Service approved the charges against Gauthier on April 24, following an investigation by VPD.

• See also:
  • “Major” police presence in Coal Harbour after apparent shooting
  • One dead after “targeted” shooting in downtown Vancouver
  • 31-year-old identified as victim of fatal shooting in Vancouver’s Coal Harbour

Police were called just after 8:30 pm last Saturday for reports of shots being fired outside Cardero’s Restaurant.

Dhaliwal was pronounced dead at the scene after first responders attempted to resuscitate him but were unsuccessful.

Investigators have said the shooting was “targeted,” and that Dhaliwal was the “intended victim.”

His death is one of three deadly shootings to occur in public spaces across Metro Vancouver within the last week.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) addressed the recent string of violence on Thursday, calling the shootings “brazen” and “concerning.”