City of Vancouver co-workers grieve targeted fatal shooting at Burnaby home

VANCOUVER – Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson says he is shocked to learn that a longtime city employee has been murdered.

"This is obviously a very disturbing event for city staff, particularly those who knew and worked with our colleague," he said in a statement Thursday.

The man, who has not yet been officially identified, was shot at around noon Wednesday, when a suspect approached a Burnaby home.

A shouting match with the homeowner ensued, and shots were fired, RCMP said.

The victim died a short time later in hospital and the case was turned over to the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team.

Mounties said they believe the man was targeted.

The City of Vancouver locked down one of its public works yards in the wake of the attack and increased security at other yards and engineering department offices, but operations were returning to normal Thursday.

Counselling and support was being offered to city staff and the man's co-workers, and the flag at city hall was lowered to half-mast in honour of the victim.

No arrests have been made.