Police expect more gang violence after Beltline shooting

Calgary's police chief is warning the city to brace for more gang violence, one dayafter a suspected gang member was gunned down ina brazen daytime attack.

The20-year-old man was shot four times as he got into a minivan in front of an apartment building on the 1500 block of 6th Street S.W. on Monday afternoon, police said. He is in serious condition after undergoing surgery in hospital.

As is standard procedure for Calgary police, the victim was not identified.

However, the man was actively under investigation by the gang unit, Staff Sgt. Nancy Farmer told reporters on Tuesday,adding he had been charged with assault a year ago,and waslinked toRoger Chin, a gang member who was gunned down on July 5.

"He was a friend of Roger Chin and that's what I have for information and that he was an associate to him," said Farmer.

'I would absolutely expect more shootings. It has been going on for a few years. It has been going on in every city in Canada.' Calgary police Chief Rick Hanson

A funeral for Chin, who was shot to death in his SUV, was held on the weekend under heavy police surveillance.

Gang investigators said the Chin shooting was the result of personal grudges between two groups that split from one gang.

"Both of the most violent groups in the city operate by the illegal distribution of cocaine. They try to maximize profits from illegal activity," said acting Staff Sgt. Martin Schiavetta from theOrganized Crime Operation Centre.

"The disputes that they are engaged in have to do with interpersonal disputes and hatred."

Police aren't saying whether Monday's shooting is related to Chin's death, but Chief Rick Hanson said that investigators are expecting retaliation for the attack.

"Iwould absolutely expect more shootings," Hanson said on Tuesday. "It has been going on for a few years. It has been going on in every city in Canada."

Hanson, who acknowledged that gang violence isincreasing in Calgary,said there are 12 known gangs in the city with about 400 members. The Calgary police have a policy of not publicly naming gangs.

"We are doing everything we can," said the chief. "Can we guarantee the safety of every citizen in this city? No, we can't. ButI can tell you we are doing everything we can to target this problem and this issue."