The family of a Good Samaritan, who was killed intervening in a robbery over three years ago, is pleading for someone to come forward with more information in the case.
Evan Garber, a 59 year old Vancouver resident, was dining at a restaurant at 3163 Main Street at 1:30 in the morning on April 28, 2006. A man walked into the restaurant with a handgun and confronted a staff member, then began to take cash from the register.
When the robber tried to leave, Mr. Garber intervened and they began to struggle. Another restaurant patron also got involved and shots were fired. Evan Garber was shot and died at the scene. The second patron was seriously injured and taken to hospital.
A car was seen leaving the area at the time and may be related to the incident. Investigators are looking for an older, 1989-1992 dark blue, four-door sedan, possibly a Chevrolet or Oldsmobile. Witnesses say the robber was white, mid to late 20s, 6′ tall, 170 to 180 lbs. and he was wearing a light-coloured baseball cap, a loose shirt, possibly a track jacket, a t-shirt and long pants.
“This was not the first time Evan Garber had intervened in a crime in progress,” says Homicide Detective Ron Symes. “When a man with a bag over his head tried to rob a store in which he was a customer, Mr. Garber pulled the bag off, exposing the robber’s face to the store’s surveillance camera. Officers were able to identify the suspect and he was subsequently charged with two counts of robbery.”
Susan Garber and Marilyn Rivers-Bowerman, the younger sisters of Evan Garber, made the emotional appeal for someone to come forward with information about their brother’s murder.
“He was a hero,” said Rivers-Bowerman. “We could expect Evan to stand up for what he believed and it was his belief in God and his commitment to social justice that gave him the strength to defend others.”
“Evan stood up for others,” said Rivers-Bowerman. “Isn’t there someone who will stand up for him?”
A $10,000 reward has been offered to information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for this crime. Anyone with information is asked to call investigators at 604-717-2500 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
