A man police described as a well known gangster is dead after a shooting in the parking lot of a busy grocery retail chain Friday afternoon. Police are identifying the dead man as 34-year-old Milad Rahimi. North Vancouver RCMP released the victim’s name and photo Saturday as well as photos of a getaway vehicle, a newer model dark blue Mazda 3 hatchback, to further their investigation.  Police said they are hoping to speak to Rahimi’s friends and associates in an effort to build a timeline of his activities for the days leading up to his death. A newer model dark blue Mazda with stolen plates was driven away by the suspect or suspects. Investigators are looking for any dash cam footage from drivers in the area on Friday afternoon both before and after the shooting.

By R. Paul Dhillon 

NORTH VANCOUVER – A man police described as a well known gangster is dead after a shooting in the parking lot of a busy grocery retail chain Friday afternoon.

Police are identifying the dead man as 34-year-old Milad Rahimi. North Vancouver RCMP released the victim’s name and photo Saturday as well as photos of a getaway vehicle, a newer model dark blue Mazda 3 hatchback, to further their investigation. 

Police said they are hoping to speak to Rahimi’s friends and associates in an effort to build a timeline of his activities for the days leading up to his death. 

“Rahimi was known to police and we believe this was a targeted incident,” Police said. “We are in the early stages of the investigation and our investigators are working tirelessly to complete priority tasks.

“We are working closely with the Lower Mainland Integrated Teams, the North Vancouver RCMP, BC Coroners Service and CFSEU-BC.”

On March 11, just after 2:45 a.m. North Vancouver RCMP received a report of multiple shots fired in the parking lot of the Real Canadian Superstore located at 333 Seymour Boulevard in North Vancouver.

When officers arrived at the scene, they found one adult male victim suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite all efforts to revive the victim, he succumbed to his injuries at the scene. 

Det. Cpl. Sukhi Dhesi, of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, said Rahimi was clinging to life when police arrived.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) was called in, and they are now conducting the investigation in partnership with the North Vancouver RCMP. Based on the investigative theory in this initial phase, this incident does not appear to be a random act.

Anyone that was in the area of the Real Canadian Superstore and Seymour Blvd and Mt. Seymour Parkway on March 11, 2022 between 2:30 – 3 p.m. with CCTV or dash cam is urged to contact IHIT immediately.  The suspect vehicle fled north on Seymour Blvd and then is believed to have turned westbound on Mt. Seymour Parkway. The suspect vehicle is described as a newer model dark blue Mazda 3 hatchback.

 Rahimi was known to police and his murder has all the markings of a targeted incident.

Rahimi and his brother Mohammad have been involved in the drug trade and organized crime dating back 15 years, reported Post Media.

Both brothers were arrested on kidnapping, robbery and assault charges out of Vancouver in June 2008, but the charges were later stayed after the witnesses refused to cooperate.

In 2009, North Vancouver Mounties described the Rahimi brothers as “upper middle management” in the drug trade.

They were both once affiliated at one point with a North Vancouver gang called the Red Lions. Some Lions went on to merge with the Red Scorpions.

But they have also been connected to people in the United Nations, the Hells Angels and Wolf Pack gangs over the years, reported Post Media.

IHIT will be working with our policing partners including CFSEU-BC in an effort to mitigate any further violence.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the IHIT Information Line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.