Vancouver party shooting victim was company's CEO
Last Updated: Saturday, December 13, 2008 | 12:38 PM PT
CBC News
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Benjamin Banky, seen in this undated photo, is described as dedicated and compassionate. (Courtesy of the Banky family) Vancouver police have identified the victim of Friday night's shooting at a company Christmas party as Benjamin Banky, 40, the CEO of TallGrass Distributors Ltd.
Police say Banky was killed after a former employee walked into the party, near East 5th Avenue and Quebec Street, and opened fire at approximately 4 p.m. PT.
Banky was "a compassionate and dedicated leader who will be sadly missed," says a statement from TallGrass Distributors.
Vancouver Police Department Const. Tim Fanning called the shooting "horrific." (CBC) "Our hearts go out to the family of Mr. Banky, to his friends and, in particular, to the employees of his business where he was gunned down," said Vancouver police Const. Tim Fanning. "This is truly a nightmare before Christmas for that business."
TallGrass distributes natural-health supplies.
Police say Eric Allen Kirkpatrick, 61, was taken into custody two hours after the shooting, after talking on the phone with police negotiators.
He was charged Saturday with first-degree murder.
Kirkpatrick had been fired on Thursday. It has not yet been determined how long he had worked at the company.
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