Posts
Police will be out in full force for the funeral of slain gang member Jonathan Bacon to prevent any further violence, according to the spokesman for the police gang task force.
"There will be a significant police presence," said Sgt. Shinder Kirk of the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit.
"It may not be overt but there certainly will be uniformed officers on the periphery as well as plain clothes officers in attendance. That's to allow the family to grieve and to prevent any sort of violence."
He said police will be "actively carrying out policing duties" by photographing mourners and noting any activity among the attendees.
Any attempt to dissuade rival gang members from attending will be done if warranted, he said.
"We haven't done it before [warned mourners away] but we will look at each situation on a case-by-case basis," he said.
He also wouldn't rule out making arrests the day of the funeral.
It's not known where or when a service will be held for Bacon, 30, leader of the Red Scorpions who was gunned down outside the Delta Grand Okanagan, a casino and posh hotel in downtown Kelowna on Sunday afternoon.
A masked gunman shot at a white Porsche SUV, killing Bacon and wounding Larry Amero, a Hells Angel gangster, and possibly James Riach of the Independent Soliders gang, as well as two unidentified women before fleeing in a vehicle.
No arrests have been made in the brazen attack that shocked the quiet lakeside city. Amero is in hospital while Riach fled and hasn't been found.
Funeral homes in Bacon's hometown of Abbotsford said they haven't been asked to take care of arrangements for the burial but all would if asked and none were concerned about the potential for violence.
"We would accommodate them like any family who experienced a loss," said Angelo Rea of Woodlawn Funeral Home.
Tony Oliveira of Oliveira Funeral Home of Port Coquitlam said he would welcome the opportunity to serve the family, despite Bacon's criminal past. The Bacon family has a home in nearby Port Moody.
"I'm sure the cops will be watchng," he said.
He said gang members' services are usually held at Ocean View Funeral Home in Burnaby.
It's not known if Jonathan's brothers will attend the funeral. Jarrod, 28, is scheduled in court next month on charges of conspiracy to traffic cocaine, while Jamie, 26, is in jail for weapons and drug charges and awaiting trial for first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in the notorious Surrey Six slayings.
B.C. Corrections has a policy to guide its staff in considering a request to attend a service. The decisions are made by managers, dependent on public safety, risk level of the inmate and likelihood of an escape attempt, according to a spokesman for the Public Safety and Solicitor General Ministry.
You Might Also Like :
0 comments:
Post a Comment