RCMP have shot a man who may have a connection to the sushi restaurant murders and who is accused of shooting his landlord last night in Burnaby, say reports.

Earlier today, Insp. Tim Shields said Angus David Mitchell, 26 was believed to be armed with a high-powered Mossberg Maverick rifle with a scope and was believed to be "emotionally unstable and unpredictable."

Police cars and helicopters are on scene at a major police incident in Maple Ridge, but police have yet to confirm whether police had located his 1994 green Ford Aerostar van, which he is believed to be living in.

Unconfirmed scanner reports say RCMP have shot Mitchell and that he has been airlifted to hospital.

- Stay tuned to the print and online editions of The TIMES for more on this breaking news story

- Click here to read more from the Vancouver Sun

----------------------------------------

BACKGROUNDER:

Police hunt for armed and dangerous man sought in Burnaby shooting

Burnaby RCMP issue warning against man they believe is armed with rifle

by Alfie Lau, Glacier Media

The Burnaby RCMP have issued an urgent warning about the public safety risk involving a 26-year-old man wanted for attempted murder.

Angus David Mitchell is wanted in connection with the attempted murder of a 51-year-old Burnaby man who was shot on Tuesday in front of his home located in the 4400 block of Gilpin Crescent. The man had been out shopping for groceries and was confronted by Mitchell.

The victim, a former landlord of Mitchell's, survived the shooting but is in hospital in serious condition.

According to Insp. Tim Shields of the Burnaby RCMP, Mitchell had been evicted from a Vancouver home six months ago.

"Mitchell is armed and extremely dangerous and his whereabouts are unknown," said Shields at a Wednesday morning RCMP press conference. "He is believed to be armed with a high-powered rifle with a scope. He is also believed to be living out of his 1994 green Ford Aerostar van with B.C. licence 591 PTG. The public is asked to be on the lookout for this van in parking lots or isolated locations where he may be staying in it overnight."

Mitchell is a former security guard and according to Shields, has a prior history of conflict with his former employer and co-workers.

Mitchell is 5-4 tall, 121 pounds and believed to be in possession of a high-powered Mossberg Maverick rifle with a scope.

Shields said Mitchell is legally in possession of the rifle, as police believe he purchased it in British Columbia within the last six months.

Police also said that while they are looking for Mitchell and the rifle he's in possession of, they do not consider this "a sniper-type of situation."

Police consider Mitchell to be emotionally unstable and unpredictable and are asking for help from the public to find him.

Mitchell also has previous ties to Victoria, so police have issued a notice that people should be on the lookout for him beyond the borders of the Lower Mainland.

Shields said all former co-workers, employers, landlords, roommates or anyone else who Mitchell has had a conflict with at any time in the past need to take precautions.

Shields said Mitchell "has come up on police radar" in the past, but he is not known to police and has not been previously charged with any crimes.

Mitchell is also a person of interest in the May 27 double homicide that occurred inside the Royal Oak Sushi House restaurant in which the owner, Huong "Andy" Tran, and a woman died.

According to Sgt. Jennifer Pound of the RCMP's integrated homicide investigation team, there are similarities in the two incidents that have led police to make a possible link, but she could not go into further details.

Pound did say that prior to the Gilpin shooting, Mitchell had not been identified as a person of interest in the sushi restaurant deaths.

If spotted, police advise that Mitchell should not be approached or confronted, but 911 should be called immediately.

Police are asking property owners of motels, restaurants and businesses to check their parking lots for Mitchell's green Aerostar van.

Anyone with information on Mitchell's whereabouts should call 911 or the Burnaby tip line at 604 294-7611.