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Calgary shooting may be linked to gang activity

Calgary’s police chief says fears that intense B.C. gang violence has migrated to Calgary could be borne out by the city’s latest homicide.

CALGARY — Calgary’s police chief says fears that intense B.C. gang violence has migrated to Calgary could be borne out by the city’s latest homicide.

Rick Hanson says links tying Sunday morning’s shooting victim to organized crime in the lower mainland are cause for concern that an eight-month lull in Calgary’s gang violence might have been shattered by imported mayhem.

He says they won’t know for sure until they can ascertain a motive.

But he admits it’s always been a concern because of the interaction between people in the two areas, whether it’s trafficking in drugs or stolen property.

Early Sunday, a man sources have identified as David Tajali was found fatally wounded after unknown assailants shot up a black BMW M6 with B.C. plates.

His brother, Niki, was reportedly in another vehicle and injured in the shooting while a woman in the BMW was unharmed.

Both brothers have been shot previously in gangland assaults in the lower mainland in a feud between drug gangs.

David Tajali had reportedly been living in Calgary for the past year.

Hanson said police are also on alert for any possible retaliation attacks.