Thirty-one-year-old Richard Chacon was originally from Huntington Beach, California, but relocated to Vancouver, British Columbia around 1996. He worked as the manager of The Car Wash, a popular spot for after-hours dancing and socializing, and was well-liked in the local nightlife community.
On July 25th, 1999, at approximately three-thirty a.m., the scene inside The Car Wash turned violent. Nearly a hundred patrons were winding down from a night of revelry when a fight broke out on the dance floor.
One of the combatants drew a handgun, firing shots that struck two men. The surviving victim, who eventually required a wheelchair due to severe injuries, could only provide limited details about the incident amid the panic. The second victim, Richard Chacon, attempting to intervene or caught in the crossfire, was fatally shot.
Immediately after the blasts, a voice pierced the stunned silence: “My God, Trevor—you just shot someone.” This outburst, overheard by multiple witnesses, was a crucial lead.
Vancouver Police Department (VPD) homicide detectives descended on the scene, interviewing dozens of patrons and staff while combing for forensic evidence like bullet casings and surveillance footage, though video tech was rudimentary in 1999 nightclubs. The name “Trevor” emerged as the prime suspect identifier, with police believing club regulars could unmask him. Tips poured in initially, but none panned out.
Richard’s murder occurred amid a spike in Vancouver’s urban violence during the late 1990s, fueled by gang rivalries and the drug trade infiltrating nightlife venues. The Downtown Eastside’s struggles with addiction and poverty spilled into adjacent areas like Hastings Street, where clubs like The Car Wash attracted a mix of partygoers and opportunists. Richard Chacon’s death, however, appears isolated as a spontaneous brawl rather than organized crime.
As of 2025, no arrests have been made, and the investigation remains open, with detectives urging anyone with information to come forward anonymously.
Crime Immemorial 