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Written by Scott Sutherland, THE CANADIAN PRESS
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Monday, 21 July 2008 |
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Victoria - Victoria Police are crediting witnesses for helping them make arrests within minutes of a fatal shooting outside a downtown nightclub on the weekend.
Witnesses who stuck around instead of scattering were crucial in tracking down suspects shortly after shots rang out, Deputy Chief John Ducker said Monday.
"We want to publicly commend the numerous witnesses who stayed on the scene of the shooting rather than disappearing, as is so often the case these days when tragic events like this occur," Ducker told reporters at Victoria Police headquarters.
"These people coming forward as and when they did were, in fact, crucial in locating the suspects."
Two men have been charged in the slaying of University of Victoria student Phil Truong, 20, and the wounding of two others who remain unidentified at the request of their families.
Police said one of the shooting victims is in critical condition in hospital and the other is considered in stable condition.
Charged with one count of murder and two counts of attempted murder each are Somphayanh Chanthabouala, known as Tommy, and a 16-year-old male who cannot be identified under provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice law.
The shootings occurred shortly after 3 a.m. Saturday, as club goers left a popular downtown night spot, the Red Jacket Lounge and Cabaret.
Const. Derek Tolmie said the pair was arrested getting into a taxi within minutes of the shooting.
"We believe they acted in concert," he said. "There's nobody else that the investigation team is aware of being involved."
Police said a single handgun was also recovered on the same street as the shooting, again as a result of witnesses coming forward.
"Victoria is the biggest small town I've ever lived in," Tolmie said of the city of 350,000.
He said people didn't hesitate to step forward to help police.
"It speaks to me that people take ownership of their community, and that's great," he said.
He noted that patrols are often on the road and available to respond to calls at the time the bars close. Numerous 9-1-1 calls came in after the shots were fired.
"So, there were units that arrived within seconds of the actual call coming in, " he said.
Shootings are also very uncommon in the capital city, the deputy police chief pointed out.
"It is important to remember that this kind of incident is actually pretty rare in Victoria. In fact, it is my understanding that the last time there was a shooting in downtown Victoria was in 2003," said Ducker.
"Victoria remains a very safe community, one which is not generally affected by violent criminal activity."
The two suspects were remanded in custody during bail hearings on Monday.
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 07 September 2008 )
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