Tragic Apartment Shooting
An 85-year-old Burnaby man was killed by a stray bullet inside his apartment.
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Key Points
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Cho was born in Korea in 1940 and moved to Canada, where he built his life. His wife of 40 years, Keum Soon Lee, died of Parkinson’s disease in 2012; his sons said he carried his grief quietly and found support in his family, church and community.
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Cho had lived at Hillside Gardens, a B.C. Housing building managed by SUCCESS, for several years. SUCCESS CEO Queenie Choo described the shooting as shocking and traumatic for residents of what had been a peaceful community.
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Police said the suspect vehicle had already fled when Burnaby RCMP arrived at the reported shooting scene, and investigators initially found no injured people.
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IHIT Sgt. Freda Fong said investigators had identified a group of youths believed to have been involved or to have knowledge of the shooting and were working to determine each person’s role. She said, “The Cho family deserves answers.”
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Investigators asked anyone with relevant information to contact the IHIT information line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or email ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
Chang Yong Cho, an 85-year-old Burnaby resident, was killed by a stray bullet inside his Kingsway apartment on August 30 after gunfire erupted nearby around 1:30 a.m. CityNews reported that police initially found no victims at the shooting scene near 18th Avenue and Humphries Avenue, but discovered Cho dead during a later welfare check. Investigators say the shooting was not gang- or drug-related and may have stemmed from a personal dispute unrelated to Cho.
Cho's sons described their father as a gentle, deeply religious man who was family-oriented and devoted to his community. CBC reported that Cho, who was born in Korea in 1940 and immigrated to Canada, lived at Hillside Gardens, a B.C. Housing complex. His wife of 40 years died in 2012, and he spent his final years supported by family, church, and neighbors.
Stray Bullet Pierces Apartment Walls
The shooting occurred around 1:30 a.m. on August 30 near 18th Avenue and Humphries Avenue in Burnaby. Vancouver Sun reported that when Burnaby RCMP arrived at the reported gunfire location, the suspect vehicle had already fled the scene. Police found no injured victims at that initial location, and the connection to Cho's death only emerged hours later during a welfare check at his apartment.
Cho lived in his Kingsway apartment at Hillside Gardens for several years. The Province reported that SUCCESS CEO Queenie Choo described the shooting as shocking and traumatic for residents of what had been a peaceful community. The incident shattered the sense of safety many residents felt in their homes.
Family Left Without Answers Amid Investigation
Cho's sons, Justin and David, issued a public appeal for information about the shooting. CityNews reported that the family is devastated by the senseless death of their father. His sons urged anyone with dashcam footage, security camera recordings, or eyewitness information from between 12:30 a.m. and 2 a.m. on August 30 to contact police immediately.
IHIT Sergeant Freda Fong told investigators they had identified a group of youths believed to be involved or to have knowledge of the shooting. CBC reported that Fong stated, "The Cho family deserves answers." Investigators are working to determine each person's role and are urging the youths and their parents to come forward with what they know.
A Quiet Life Cut Short by Random Violence
Chang Yong Cho built his life in Canada after immigrating from Korea in 1940. His wife of 40 years, Keum Soon Lee, died of Parkinson's disease in 2012. Vancouver Sun reported that Cho carried his grief quietly and found solace in his deep faith, his sons, and his tight-knit community at Hillside Gardens.
The shooting highlights how violence can reach innocent bystanders far removed from its source. The Province reported that Cho was not involved in gangs, drugs, or any personal dispute. His death reveals the fragility of safety at home and the unpredictable ways stray bullets can shatter lives. Anyone with information is urged to contact IHIT at 1-877-551-IHIT or ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
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