Vancouver murder conviction, Surrey bus attacker sentenced & Cross‑border $64M loss — Vancouver Thursday

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🚨 Crime & Public Safety

Jury convicts Vancouver man of first‑degree murder for second time. A new jury found Alvaro Julio Roche Garcia guilty of first‑degree murder in the January 2019 shooting death of 69‑year‑old Zenen Cepeda Silva on Fraser Street; a sentencing hearing is set for next month. B.C. Court of Appeal had ordered the retrial after striking the 2024 conviction over evidentiary errors.
Man given 16 years, 8 months for 2023 Surrey bus knife attack. Abdul Aziz Kawam, 30, was sentenced after slashing one passenger’s throat and attacking another on April 1, 2023; with custody credit he has just over 11 years left to serve. Crown sought 20 years; defence sought seven years; both victims survived the attack.
VPD warns of ‘blessing scams’ swapping gold and cash for noodles and water. Vancouver police reported a scam in which victims’ gold or cash are exchanged for low‑value items like noodles or bottled water; the VPD issued public warnings after multiple reports to their detachment.

Whatcom County lost US$64 million in Canadian spending between 2024–25, report says. A Western Washington University study estimates Canadian cross‑border shopping visits plunged (shopping visits down 71 per cent), costing businesses in Bellingham and Whatcom County about US$64 million and prompting reduced staff hours and product changes.
Decimated B.C. NDP caucus meets to pick interim leadership after election loss. The caucus fell from 47 to 28 MLAs in the election, and members will meet at the legislature to discuss an interim leader; MLA‑elect Niki Sharma is expected to speak to reporters before the meeting.
Early Okanagan snow gives resorts a boost as a strong El Niño looms. Big White reported fresh powder this week and staff said skiers are already on runs; meteorologists warn a developing super El Niño could raise freezing levels and risk coastal resorts seeing rain instead of snow.

Kevin Falcon resigns as B.C. United leader after party officially deregistered.
Tumbler Ridge shooting survivor Maya Gebala being released from hospital, father says.
Coroner's inquest into fatal Surrey teen police shooting begins Nov. 9.
NDP ex‑ministers admit frustration over snap election blunder.
Question raised about super El Niño's impact on Vancouver Island snowpack.
Wounded B.C. NDP caucus meets after humbling election defeat.
71‑year‑old B.C. man reached 500 blood donations, urges others to donate.
RCMP say suspect in northern B.C. home invasion and sexual assault remains at large.
Some B.C. First Nations leaders push back on Manitoba premier's call to abolish Indian Act.
17‑year‑old dirt biker dead after collision in Nanaimo.
B.C. North Coast tanker ban to remain after Liberals vote down Tory bill.
Multiple vehicle crashes closed highways during B.C. Interior's first major snowfall.
Dyas won downtown and Cannan carried Rutland: five Kelowna election takeaways.
More provinces end time changes; story examines health implications.