Three gunmen who killed Bich Ha Pan and badly wounded her husband may have targeted the couple’s home for possible drugs, sources told the Sun Wednesday.
Classmates who attended high school several years ago with their daughter and her boyfriend talked of them mixing with a “rough crowd” that used, shared and sold dope, “likely marijuana,” a source said. However, York Regional Police investigators said they have no evidence that the family was involved in illegal drugs.
Police probing the Monday murder of the 53-year-old housewife and the wounding of her husband, tool-and-die maker Huei Hann Pann, 57, haven’t ruled out the home invaders targeted the wrong house. Investigators are also checking several tips.
The couple’s 24-year-old daughter, whose name has not been released, was tied up and left in an upper room and did not see her parents shot.
After the three gunmen fled with an undisclosed amount of cash, she got free and called 911.
Her father staggered outside around 10:30 p.m. Monday and sought help at the house next door, at the corner of Dodds Crt.
His condition was upgraded at Sunnybrook hospital on Wednesday to serious but stable. The couple’s daughter and younger brother, who was away at university, are with their dad.
From Vietnam, the couple bought their house northeast of Kennedy Rd. and Hwy. 407 in 2004.
It will remain cordoned off while detectives and forensic officers search for clues as to why the two-storey house on Helen Ave. was targeted, Det.-Sgt. Larry Wilson said Wednesday. Wilson told the Sun “we have no evidence of the family being involved in any drug activities.”
Meanwhile, police have identified a mystery car outside the Pan house from 10 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday.
After officers compared a grainy video from a neighbour’s security camera with information from neighbours, Wilson described the car that drove up and left 30 minutes after the home invasion as a four-door silver-coloured Acura CSX. It had tinted windows, lowered suspension and a rear spoiler.
Wilson said several people got inside, but were unrecognizable.
“We’re looking for this vehicle and we’d like to talk to the individuals,” to determine if they are suspects or not involved, he told reporters.
A mobile police station opened around 8 a.m. at the east end of Helen Ave., beside Unionville Meadows Public School, where residents are invited to visit until at least this weekend with tips, clues or seeking home safety advice.
There has been no update for descriptions of the wanted trio.
Police described two as black and ranging in age from 28 to 33. One had a medium build, long dreadlocks and dark clothing. The other was 5-foot-7, with his face covered by a bandanna and wearing a hooded sweatshirt.
Their companion was only described as a thin man speaking with “a Caribbean accent.”
Police ask anyone with information to call 1-866-287-5025, ext. 7865 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477)