Vancouver Police have posted two $10,000 rewards in a bid to close the files on a pair of cold case homicides in the city.
Evan Garber was a Good Samaritan who was gunned down while trying to stop an armed robbery in 2006.
On April 28, Garber was eating a late-night meal at the Kwong Chow Congee and Noodle House on Main Street when a man with a gun came and to rob the restaurant.
After Garber confronted the suspect, a struggle ensued. Garber was shot and killed.
Choking back tears, Garber's sister Susan stood with police Friday to plea for help in solving her brother's case.
"Evan stood up for others. Isn't there someone who will stand up for him?" she said.
"Our family, friends and his pastor still struggle to find adequate words to express our grief and sorrow."
Police say the suspect is a 180 lb. white male in his mid-to-late 20s. He is 5'10" tall with a slim build.
Investigators believe he may drive a dark coloured four-door sedan, possibly an Oldsmobile or a Chevrolet in the 1989 to 1992 vintage.
Another family struggles with loss
Meanwhile, the family of Willene Chong is also seeking closure.
The 76-year-old grandmother was Vancouver's 15th homicide victim of 2008. She died in hospital after her east Vancouver home was set on fire in the early hours of September 11.
Chong's youngest son suffered serious burns while trying to rescue her.
"We will always feel anger and pain over her loss," Jerry Chong said Friday. "She was an innocent victim of a despicable crime by an individual who feels no remorse or guilt."
Police do not believe the Chong home was targeted. A young suspect is being sought who investigators believe is likely responsible for a number of fires set the same morning.
A $10,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest in either case. Anyone with a tip is asked to call police at 604-717-2500 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
