Hot News: Victim in Vancouver shooting owned Victoria bike shops

Paul Dragan, the business owner seriously injured in a daytime shooting in Vancouver's Yaletown on Tuesday, previously owned three bike stores in the Victoria area.

Dragan, owner of Reckless Bikes, was shot outside a Starbucks on Davie Street. He reportedly got into a dispute with an angry former employee.

Dragan operated two Reckless Bikes stores in downtown Victoria, on Yates Street and on Government Street, and a third store called Outpost Bike Co. on Happy Valley Road.

The two downtown locations closed about six or seven years ago and Dragan sold Outpost.

Victoria cycling promoter, Jon Watkin, who managed Reckless Bikes' Greater Victoria locations for two years, said he was saddened by the news.

'It's quite shocking,' Watkin said. 'I'm sure it just kind of makes people think about the whole issue of guns in general. I think in terms of the cycling community, everyone is just in shock and they're concerned about Paul and his family. We want to make sure he pulls through.'

Dragan, who lives in Vancouver's False Creek area, is married and has one son.

Oak Bay Bikes owner Karl Ullrich said he came to know Dragan after attending cycling industry meetings in town.

'He wasn't just a regular bike shop owner,' Ullrich said.

'He immersed himself in the industry and had gone past the part of just making a living and was trying to improve the whole scene. So he was an important part and we wish him all the best.'

Ken Kelly, general manager with the Downtown Victoria Business Association, worked with Dragan when he operated the two downtown businesses.

'That's horrible news about Paul Dragan,' Kelly said. 'Talk about a guy who's got energy, passion and vision.'

kderosa@timescolonist.com

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