A Langley man charged with first-degree murder in connection with a Vancouver shooting on July 26 made his first court appearance Aug. 29 under heavy security.
Vancouver Police Department (VPD) officers were called to East 63rd Avenue and Inverness Street that evening for reports that two men had been shot in a vehicle, which then collided with two other vehicles.
Hitkaran Johal, 25, died at the scene. A second man was taken to hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
VPD Major Crime Section identified Rylee Shipley, 27, as a suspect.
Shipley appeared before Judge Nancy Adams for a bail hearing.
Prosecutor James Boxall said the Crown opposed Shipley’s release with defence lawyer Bobby Movassaghi not opposing that.
Movassaghi said any bail application would be in B.C. Supreme Court.
Shipley, who appeared in person, remains in custody.
Shipley was arrested on Aug. 21 in Alberta with assistance from the Calgary Police Service and the Alberta RCMP, the VPD said.
Security at the 222 Main St. courthouse was tight with sheriff deputies carrying high-powered weapons and guarding entrances Wednesday and Thursday.
The BC Prosecution Service approved one count each of first-degree murder, attempted murder with a firearm, and aggravated assault against Shipley.
At the time of the incident, police said a vehicle was set on fire near East 63rd Avenue and Prince Edward Street shortly after the shooting.
The VPD have confirmed they believe the car is connected to the homicide.
