A young man shot to death in Maple Ridge last month is the son of one Hells Angel and the great-nephew of another, Postmedia has learned.
Manricco “Ricco” Sansalone, 26, died from gunshot wounds on Dec. 22, after making his way to Ridge Meadows hospital from nearby Kin Park, where the shooting is believed to have occurred at about 6 a.m.
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team said at the time that the victim was known to police, but did not release his name or other details about why police were familiar with him.
Cpl. Meghan Foster confirmed Friday that Sansalone was the man killed and said that his name was initially withheld by police for investigative reasons.
She said she had no comment on any connections Sansalone had to the Hells Angels.
An RCMP officer places an evidence marker at the 21800 block of 121 ave, Maple Ridge after the targeted shooting, on December 22.
IHIT media officer, Cpl. David Lee, said earlier Friday that the Sansalone “investigation is ongoing and we cannot comment on the motive to protect any future court proceedings.”
The young man had no criminal record, according to the online court database.
But his father Joseph Sansalone and great-uncle Vincenzo “Jimmy” Sansalone are both members of the notorious biker gang’s Haney chapter.
Vincenzo was convicted in Ontario several years ago of trafficking GHB after police there seized a large shipment that had been sent from B.C. to a Toronto Hells Angels prospect. He was sentenced to six years in jail.
Sansalone’s B.C. co-accused, United Nations gangster Omid Bayani disappeared in September 2011 while out on bail in the case. He was sentenced in absentia to seven years and has not resurfaced since.
Retired police biker expert Andy Richards said the Hells Angels often get involved when someone connected to them is targeted.
“Very clearly this young man had very close family ties to the Hells Angels. And given how the Hells Angels and organized crime deals with the murders of family members, there could very likely be club interest in this and you know, club related repercussions,” said Richards, now CEO of Spire Secure Logistics.
Hells Angels spokesman Ricky Ciarniello did not respond to an emailed request for comment.
Sansalone’s Jan. 4 funeral attracted Hells Angels wearing their “colours” — the back leather vest emblazoned with the gang’s patch.
In his obituary last week, Sansalone’s family said that he spent last summer fighting wildfires in the B.C. interior, and he was looking forward to starting a millwright apprenticeship this year.
“We’ll forever miss Ricco’s gentle nature and his ability to light up a room with his smile and contagious laughter,” the tribute said. “Ricco loved his family and would always be willing to drop his plans to help family or friends in need.”
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