After nearly three months of investigating, a charge has now been laid in the Maple Ridge homicide where a young man was fatally shot in the middle of downtown.
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) announced on Saturday, Aug. 23, that 26-year-old Maple Ridge resident Alexander Delair was charged with second-degree murder.
The homicide occurred on May 31 at the corner of 223 Street and Lougheed Highway, where Dustin Evans was seen talking with an individual who then shot Evans before fleeing.
Despite life-saving attempts, Evans died at the scene, and an extensive search was launched for his killer.
Shortly after that, IHIT took over control of the investigation and worked in partnership with the Ridge Meadows RCMP, the Integrated Forensic Identification Services, and the Abbotsford Police Department, explained IHIT media relations officer Corp. Esther Tupper.
“IHIT would like to thank our policing partners for their support throughout this investigation," said Tupper.
Delair is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 26 for the second-degree murder charge, and has also been facing multiple firearm-related charges in the Abbotsford courts since July.