British Columbia is establishing a specialized team to investigate gang-related homicides, citing that such murders now account for nearly 50 percent of all killings in the province.
According to data from the Ministry of Public Safety, gang-related homicides have surged from 21 percent of total murders in the province in 2003 to 46 percent last year.
Mike Farnworth, B.C.’s public safety minister and solicitor general, announced the formation of the new Integrated Gang Homicide Team, tasked with probing gang-connected killings.
The 18-member team is anticipated to be fully operational by late this year or early 2025.
While members of the gang homicide unit will be integrated into the Lower Mainland’s RCMP-led Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, their primary focus will be on gang-related cases.
Superintendent Mandeep Mooker, the head of the homicide team, noted that investigating gang-related homicides can be more challenging due to the gangs’ careful planning, witness reluctance, and evidence tampering.
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“As of December 2023, IHIT reported 356 unsolved homicides,” the government stated in a news release.
“The establishment of the new Integrated Gang Homicide Team will enhance investigative capabilities, allowing IHIT to reallocate team members to focus on these particular cases.”
