Canadian police have confirmed that a 28-year-old Indian-origin man lost his life in a targeted shooting in Burnaby, British Columbia, which investigators suspect is connected to the ongoing gang conflict in the province.
The incident took place shortly before 5:30 pm (local time) on January 22 near the 3700 block of Canada Way, Burnaby, according to a statement from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
Frontline officers arrived at the scene following reports of gunfire and discovered a male victim with critical injuries. Despite efforts to save his life at the location, the man was declared dead.
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Minutes after the shooting, police also discovered a vehicle completely consumed by fire in the 5000 block of Buxton Street, located several kilometres away from where the shooting occurred, the statement noted. Investigators are now considering the burned vehicle to be directly linked to the homicide.
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) has assumed responsibility for the case and officially identified the victim as Dilraj Singh Gill, a Vancouver resident.
“At this time, IHIT investigators believe that this was a targeted shooting,” police stated in an update. “Mr Gill was known to police, and the shooting appears to have a nexus to the BC gang conflict.” Sergeant Freda Fong of IHIT expressed that the killing has caused significant concern within the community due to the public setting of the attack.
“A shooting, especially in a public place, is extremely troubling, not only for the police but for the entire community,” Fong said. “Information from witnesses and those in the area will be crucial in ensuring this investigation advances and to hold those responsible accountable.”
Investigators are currently collaborating with Burnaby RCMP, the Lower Mainland Integrated Forensic Identification Service and the BC Coroners Service to piece together the sequence of events and collect forensic evidence from both locations.
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Police suspect that the perpetrator or perpetrators left the area immediately following the shooting and may have used the vehicle that was subsequently discovered burning on Buxton Street.
IHIT has made a public appeal requesting witnesses and video evidence. Officers are looking for dashcam or CCTV footage recorded between 5:00 pm and 6:30 pm on January 22 along Canada Way, from Boundary Road to Willingdon Avenue, as well as in the Buxton Street area near Royal Oak Avenue and Forglen Drive. Investigators are also requesting video captured earlier, between 4:30 pm and 6:00 pm, near Canada Way and Laurel Street, between Boundary Road and Gilmore Way, the RCMP statement added.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact IHIT or submit tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers. Police have indicated that the investigation is ongoing and that further updates will be shared as new information becomes available.