Vancouver police are hoping the public can help them find a "person of interest" in the shooting at a popular café on Commercial Drive on Thursday night.

The victim, a man in his 40s whose identity has not been made public, was shot in the stomach several times at Café Roma. He is in serious but stable condition in hospital following emergency surgery.

Police cordoned off the area around the restaurant following the shooting.
(CBC)

Vancouver police spokesman Const. Howard Chow said that two men had been arguing when one of them pulled a gun and opened fire. By the time officers arrived, Chow said, everyone else had scattered.

The man they are seeking is known to officers who regularly patrol Commercial Drive, Chow said. "He's known apparently in the Commercial Drive area as Turk … And he's been described as a white male between 28 to 32 years old. He's five foot eight, he's got a skinny build."

Chow said the man has short brown hair and was wearing a white shirt on Thursday night.

At this point, police aren't calling him a suspect, Chow said, but they are looking for the public's help in trying to find him.