VANCOUVER – The long-time Vancouver city employee who was shot dead in Burnaby on Wednesday has been identified as an Ismaili-Canadian man.
Hanif Jessa, 53, was fatally shot outside his Burnaby home on Wednesday.
Homicide investigators working the case say they have leads but no suspects, and are appealing to anyone who may have seen the shooting to come forward.
Jessa, who had worked for the city for 25 years, was shot in his vehicle outside his Burnaby home in the middle of the day, said Sgt. Stephanie Ashton of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, reported CBC News.
“This investigation has raised concerns throughout the Lower Mainland,” said Ashton, who called the killing a targeted attack.
“We want to remind the public that we’re treating this homicide investigation with the seriousness it deserves.”
Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson expressed his condolences after learning of Jessa’s fatal shooting, who he described as a “much-loved” city employee. But Robertson offered few details about the nature of the threat that put four city properties under heavy police presence yesterday.
“This is obviously a very disturbing event for city staff,” said Robertson at a media briefing Thursday.
“We are obviously stunned and saddened to hear the tragic news of the murder of a long-time city employee who was killed at his home in Burnaby.”
Jessa had most recently worked as the night supervisor of street cleaning. He was married with two grown sons.
A longtime friend, Hanif Jinnah, told CBC News that Jessa was an absolute gentleman and will be missed.
“He was very pleasant. Down to earth. Very humble.…Shall I say, kind-hearted? You can’t say a bad thing about him,” said Jinnah.
“It’s tragic to see what has happened here.”
Jessa was shot shortly after noon PT Wednesday on a residential cul-de-sac in Burnaby. He was rushed to hospital, but later died.
By 1 p.m., Burnaby RCMP alerted Vancouver police that there was a potential threat to other people at the city, said Vancouver police Chief Adam Palmer.
The city police sent officers to Vancouver City Hall, the Manitoba and National works yards, and the Crossroads building on West Broadway at Cambie Street.
Mayor Robertson said the city had not received any threats prior to the shooting, and he deflected questions about whether the shooting had anything to do with city workplace issues.
“I can’t speak to the issues with human resources at the city.… There’s nothing to suggest that this had anything to do with what happened yesterday.”
Flags at Vancouver City Hall are at half-mast following Jessa’s death.
