Pubdate: Fri, 26 Oct 2007 Source: Abbotsford Times (CN BC) Copyright: 2007 The Abbotsford Times Contact: http://www.abbotsfordtimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1009 Author: Christina Toth, The Times 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. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart