A Pitt Meadows businessman was brutally attacked by masked assailants with baseball bats outside his home, and in front of his horrified wife and child.
The lawyer for John Ling, the owner of Pitt Meadows-based Canadian Aviation College, is working to hold the culprits responsible, and has released a security camera video of the attack. It happened on Sept. 26, and is the subject of a police investigation.
Vancouver lawyer Russell Robertson described the attack as "horrific," as Ling has his legs taken out by the first swing of a bat, and then endures eight more blows from two men as he struggles to stand.
"His wife bravely comes rushing in," said Robertson, which may have spared Ling. "She's pretty heroic."
She was not hit by a bat, which suggests the assailants were "on instructions to only go after John," speculated his lawyer.
Robertson had the benefit of viewing the attack from three security cameras at different angles. It shows there were actually three men who get out of a blue Honda Odyssey van. Two attack Ling, while the third quickly reaches underneath the victim's vehicle.
Ling's daughter drops the bag she is carrying, and runs past one of the men to the neighbour's property, but could still see the attack.
Police investigators found a tracking device under Ling's vehicle.
Robertson said his client was left badly bruised, and with a suspected concussion.
"They chose to leave when he is clearly not dead," said Robertson. "It was a beating meant to send a message."
He went to hospital with injuries that were serious, but not life-threatening.
Ling has had past legal disputes with business associates, but neither the lawyer nor The News was prepared to publicly speculate on who could be behind the attacks.
Ling has left the country with his family, returning to his native China.
Robertson described Ling as a typical, law-abiding businessman, and said the attack on a quiet residential street in Pitt Meadows, in broad daylight, is "something I hope the RCMP would try their damnedest to solve."
Officers continue to investigate and determine the exact cause of the incident, said Ridge Meadows RCMP in a statement.
This includes reviewing video surveillance and speaking with any possible witnesses. While the investigation is still ongoing, early indications suggest this may have been a targeted incident. Anyone with more information is asked to contact Ridge Meadows RCMP at 604-463-6251.
