DRIVE-BY SHOOTING COULD SPARK GANG WAR

EDMONTON -- Police Chief Bob Wasylyshen warns a recent fatal shooting
could be the spark that triggers a powder keg of violence among rival
street gangs dealing dope.

"There's always the possibility an escalation (of violence) can occur,"
Wasylyshen said yesterday.

"I can't guarantee this won't happen again."

Twenty-three year-old Ranjit Mangat -- who was to appear in court next
month on weapons charges --was gunned down in front of his house Tuesday
afternoon.

The shooter was hiding in Mangat's backyard waiting for him to arrive home,
shot him, and fled with two others in a stolen vehicle.

"We're working around the clock to bring these (gang) members to justice,"
said Wasylyshen, adding he was disappointed a truce between feuding gangs
that police orchestrated has come to an end.

Police suspect the shooting was drug related.

"Gangs fight and drugs are the root of many problems. The competition for
business is keen," Wasylyshen said.

This was not a random shooting, said Mayor Bill Smith. "This was a focused,
targeted situation," he said.