Homicide victim found in vacant Burnaby lot identified

A man found dead in Burnaby last week was the target of two attempts on his life in the past few months.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) has identified the man, whose body was found in a vacant lot in the area of Norland Avenue and Laurel Street last Thursday morning, as 31-year-old Christopher Irwin.

IHIT said Irwin is believed to have been targeted.

Irwin was the subject of a public warning from Coquitlam RCMP in April, after he was shot on March 25 in the 1600-block of Chickadee Place. A vehicle of interest in the shooting was later found burning in Port Moody, and the fire and a subsequent explosion injured an innocent bystander.

“Police want to warn the public that anyone with Irwin or in proximity to Irwin is putting themselves at great risk, including his own family and friends,” Const. Deanna Law said in April.

“Known gang members often travel between jurisdictions and it is important for the public to be aware so that appropriate measures can be taken to ensure their safety.”

RCMP believed he was also the intended target of a separate shooting in the same cul-de-sac in December, where a man was shot in a vehicle in a case of mistaken identity with his nine-year-old sitting in the back seat. The child was unharmed in the incident and the man was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

A news release issued by IHIT on Saturday didn’t reveal the cause of Irwin’s death.

Irwin was found by a member of the public on Thursday, July 14 in a vacant gravel lot in the industrial area located near Burnaby Lake Park. Burnaby RCMP arrived at the scene just after 9:45am.

A vehicle fire in the 400-block of Fader Street in New Westminster, reported around 4:30 the same morning, is believed to be connected to the homicide.

“We are releasing Mr. Irwin’s name in hopes that witnesses will come forward who can assist us in building a timeline of Mr. Irwin’s whereabouts in the time leading to his death,” Sgt. Timothy Pierotti said in a news release.

“Investigators continue to work tirelessly to collect evidence and speak with witnesses. We urge any associates of Mr. Irwin to please come forward.”

IHIT is asking any witnesses or anyone who may have dashcam footage from the 3300-block of Norland Avenue between 3:30-9:30am, or the area of Fader Street and Braid Street between 3:30-5am the morning of July 14, to contact its information line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or by email at [email protected].