The Vancouver Police Department announced Wednesday that a man has now been arrested and charged in a double murder that took place in 2018.
This shooting took the life of 15-year-old Alfred Wong, who was struck by a stray bullet while sitting in the back of his parents’ car as they were driving in Vancouver.
He was critically injured and died days later in hospital.
Kane Carter has now been charged with one count of second-degree murder in Wong’s death and the death of 23-year-old Kevin Whiteside.
VPD investigators have long believed that Whiteside, who police say was involved in gang life, had come to the area that night to shoot a rival who was having dinner at a restaurant near Broadway and Ontario Street, in Mount Pleasant, Vancouver police Chief Adam Palmer said Wednesday. Gunfire was exchanged on the street as the Wong family passed by the restaurant in their car.
Carter was arrested in Durham, Ontario on Tuesday, police confirmed.
Wong was a young athlete and a promising student on the night of Jan. 13, 2018, when he was struck and killed, Palmer added.
Carter, 26, has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder, and one count of aggravated assault for the shooting of a third person, who was not seriously injured. He is also charged with discharging a firearm with the intent to injure Whiteside.
“I’d like to acknowledge the Wong family and thank them for their patience throughout this investigation. This has been an incredibly difficult time in their lives,” Palmer added. “I hope this arrest will bring them some sense of peace.”
The Wong family provided a statement on Wednesday as the arrest and charges were announced:
Alfred’s family would like to thank the Vancouver Police Department and any others involved in the ongoing investigation for their tireless efforts and commitment despite the difficulties of the ongoing pandemic.
We understand the Vancouver Police Department has now made an arrest and that charges have been laid. We are optimistic that all those involved in the crime will be brought to justice. We hope that Alfred’s death will be a catalyst for change in combating gang violence in the Greater Vancouver Area and that going forward there will be no more similar incidents.
Alfred’s family would like to thank everyone for their support and would like to request that their privacy continue to be respected. All matters pertaining to the case should go through and be handled by the Vancouver Police Department at this time.