Two men shot in front of Italian Kitchen restaurant on Alberni

Vancouver Police will be looking for witnesses and information today after two men were shot in front of the upscale Italian Kitchen restaurant in the 1000 block of Alberni Street overnight. Police say both men remain in serious condition in hospital. This is the second major shooting downtown this year, since a high-ranking gang member was shot and killed at the Wall Centre in January.

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According to multiple witnesses nearby at the time of the shooting, the men had just walked out of the restaurant when a lone gunman approached them and began firing. Moments later, he fled westbound on foot. Police launched an intensive search in the area but were unable to find the suspect. 

While there is no clear motive at this stage in the investigation, investigators believe the men were targeted, police say.

"More than a dozen people were nearby at the time of the shooting and we know that the potential for innocent people to have been caught up in this violence was very real," Constable Jana McGuinness said.

The VPD is appealing for additional witnesses to come forward as some may have left the area before speaking to police. Anyone with information is asked to call the VPD Robbery/Assault Squad at 604-717-2541 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.