SLAYING RE-IGNITES FEARS

Cops 'Not Surprised' After B.C. Gangster Shot Dead In Calgary

Long-held fears intense B.C. gang violence has migrated to Calgary
could be borne out by the city's latest homicide, Police Chief Rick
Hanson said yesterday.

Hanson said links tying Sunday morning's shooting victim to Lower
Mainland organized crime are cause for concern that an eight-month
lull in Calgary's gang violence might have been shattered by imported mayhem.

"Would it be a surprise to us? Not at all, but until we can ascertain
a motive, we can't say if it's something that's migrated," said Hanson.

"It's always been a concern of our's because of the interaction
between people in the two areas, whether it's trafficking in drugs or
stolen property."

At 2:30 a.m. Sunday in the 1700 block of 4 St. S.W., gunmen riddled a
black BMW M6 with B.C. plates where a man sources identify as David
Tajali was found fatally wounded.

His brother, Niki, was reportedly in another vehicle and injured in
the shooting while a woman in the BMW was unharmed.

Both brothers have been shot previously in gangland assaults on the
Lower Mainland in a feud between Persian drug gangs.

David Tajali had reportedly been living in Calgary for the past year.
Hanson said police are also on alert for any possible retaliation attacks.

"It's never left our radar screen," he said.

It's possible trouble followed Tajali from B.C., said Sgt. Shinder
Kirk of the RCMP's B.C. Integrated Gang Task Force.

"Whatever your business deals were in your home province, could it
follow you? Absolutely," said Kirk.

"There are strong ties between groups in Alberta and B.C."

But he said it's also possible the killing arose from a Calgary-based dispute.

Hanson said the incident has Calgary and B.C. police forces closely
collaborating as they've been forced to do for some time.

"We're co-operating at a level we've never seen before," he said.

Police say Niki Tajali has been co-operative while undergoing
treatment in hospital.