Port Moody police say they think they are closing in on the person who shot an innocent woman while she was watching television in her apartment in late October.

Forty-year-old Laurie Tinga was shot in the head by a stray bullet during a gun battle in the courtyard of her Port Moody townhouse complex.

Investigators want help identifying the man at the right of the photo in the white shirt and dark jacket
Investigators want help identifying the man at the right of the photo in the white shirt and dark jacket

Bullets also struck two other apartments, but no one else was hurt.

Police have released a photo of the suspected shooter taken by the surveillance camera at a nearby Starbucks coffee shop just prior to the Oct. 28 shooting.

Const. Phil Reid says investigators are convinced the man in the photo fired the shot that hit Laurie Tinga.

"We do have information that this person had the weapon, and that's why we feel very strongly that once he's been identified, an arrest will be made."

Police have said they believe the shooting was the result of a drug rip-off involving Indo-Canadian gang members.

Meanwhile, Reid says Tinga's condition has improved and she is now off life support. But he adds her full recovery will take a long time and that her life has been altered forever.

A trust fund has been set up at VanCity Credit Union in Laurie's name, to help the family.

Investigators are asking anyone who can identify the man at the right of the picture to call their tip line at 604-543-9217 or Crime Stoppers if they wish to remain anonymous at 1-800-222-TIPS.