A 32-year-old man has been charged after a Vancouver shooting that occurred just over a week ago in Mount Pleasant on Main Street.
According to the Vancouver Police Department (VPD), the shooting occurred in the early morning hours of Sept. 7, just after 7 a.m., leaving one man injured.
VPD shared that officers responded to a convenience store near Main Street and 16th Avenue. There’s only one notable convenience store in that area, the former Hasty Market, which is now called H&Z Market.
A man reported being shot in the leg. Officers attended, and paramedics treated the victim at the scene before he was transported to the hospital. He suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
“Following an investigation, including a review of CCTV footage, VPD Major Crime detectives identified a suspect,” VPD said.
That very day, Kamloops RCMP told VPD investigators that the same man was taken into custody in Kamloops in an unrelated matter. The VPD has named the suspect.
“The BC Prosecution Service has approved charges of aggravated assault and assault with a weapon against Victor Sorensen-Avila. He remains in custody in Kamloops awaiting a bail hearing,” VPD said.
“Any act of gun violence in a busy neighbourhood like Mount Pleasant is deeply concerning,” said VPD Constable Darren Wong in a release.
“While this incident was disturbing for local residents and business owners, we want to reassure our community that a suspect was quickly identified and remains in custody. We do not believe there is any ongoing threat to the community.”
A GoFundMe has been set up for the victim, who appears to be an employee of the H&Z Market. The GoFundMe states that the victim has been a familiar and loved face at the market for over 20 years.
“To so many customers, he isn’t just the person behind the counter; he is a friend, someone who remembers people, welcomes them with a smile, and has always treated the community with kindness and respect,” the GoFundMe added.