FOUR OF THE DEAD KNOWN TO POLICE

They Had Faced Drug And Firearms Charges

At least one of the six men slain in a Surrey penthouse on Oct. 19
had stood before an Abbotsford court on criminal charges. RCMP
officers noted at a Tuesday press conference that four of the men had
previously faced charges ranging from firearms possession to drug trafficking.

The other two men - Ed Schellenberg and Chris Mohan - were innocent
bystanders who were going about their daily lives when they were
caught in the slaughter, police said.

Edward Sousakhone Narong, 22, faced charges of drugs and firearms
offences in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Port Coquitlam, Surrey and
Vancouver. He had also been charged with resisting arrest,
obstructing police and driving with a suspended licence.

Narong shared the Surrey apartment with three other men who were
killed, including Corey Jason Michael Lal, 21, his brother Michael
Justin Lal, 26, and Ryan Bartolomeo, 19.

Police have not released the cause of death, but RCMP Assistant
Commissioner Peter German said the multiple slayings were the result
of "guns, gangs, drugs and violence."

Investigators believe that the four men were targeted due to their
involvement in the drug trade and may have used their apartment for
drug activity, said RCMP Supt. Wayne Rideout of the Integrated
Homicide Investigation Team.

To date, 48 homicide detectives are working on the case, with help
from more than 150 officers from municipal, provincial and federal
police agencies.

In an unusual move, Rideout appealed to the underworld for help,
saying the "despicable persons responsible for these crimes do not
deserve your respect, they do not deserve your loyalty and they do
not deserve your protection."

People within information are asked to call the IHIT tip line at
1-877-543-9217 or if you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime
Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.