Three individuals were apprehended by authorities on Friday in connection with a shooting incident that occurred earlier this year in Surrey, British Columbia. The incident, which took place on March 27 on 89A Avenue near 132 Street, involved gunshots fired at a residence. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported, but the property sustained damage.
According to the Surrey Police Service (SPS), the shooting was linked to an ongoing investigation into extortion. Following the identification of three suspects, a series of search warrants were executed, leading to the arrests.
The arrested individuals, aged 20, 23, and 26, were charged by the BC Prosecution Service with recklessly discharging a firearm. These charges represent the first in Surrey related to extortion within the South Asian community since February 2024.
Chief Constable Norm Lipinski of the SPS stated that these arrests signify progress in their efforts, particularly since the establishment of a specialized investigative team in June.
The SPS disclosed that they are currently handling 56 extortion-related reports, with 31 of them involving shots fired. Both individuals and businesses have been targeted by these threats.
Recently, there have been reports of gunfire targeting businesses, such as a local radio station and a restaurant on King George Boulevard. To combat such criminal activities, the city of Surrey has allocated a $250,000 reward fund for information leading to convictions in extortion cases. Additionally, the provincial government has pledged significant funding towards a task force dedicated to combating extortion crimes in British Columbia.
If you have any information regarding extortion crimes in Surrey, you can contact the Surrey Extortion Tip Line at 236-485-5149.