Bloody Sunday in Surrey
Three men dead in two shootings; police say nature of incidents puts public at risk
Sgt. Jennifer Pound from the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, gives details about two Sunday night shootings at a press conference Monday. Pound said it's too early in the investigations to determine if the shootings are related.
Photograph by: JACOB ZINN , Surrey NOW
In a span of less than five hours, two deadly shootings in Surrey claimed the lives on three men on Sunday night.
Around 7 p.m., Surrey RCMP found 27-year-old Surrey resident Manjot Dhillon in critical condition on the road near 168th Street and 76th Avenue in a possible gang-related shooting.
He was rushed to hospital, but was pronounced dead around 11:30 p.m. as a result of his injuries.
"This shooting is a targeted shooting on the victim who was known to police," said Sgt. Jennifer Pound, media relations officer for the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, noting that Dhillon had a criminal record with charges from 2005 and one charge in 2006.
Shortly before midnight, police received several 911 calls about shots fired at an apartment building at 128th Street and 94th Avenue.
Two men were found shot to death in the building's underground parkade. Police are still determining if the second shooting was gang-related.
The names of the two victims have not been released as police are still identifying them and notifying their next of kin.
"These two incidents don't appear to be connected in any way," said Pound. "However, it is early in both of these investigations and you have to keep in mind that we have yet to identify the two individuals from the most recent homicide."
Neighbours reportedly heard several gunshots followed by the sound of tires squealing as a car peeled out of the area heading northbound on 128th Street. Pound described the vehicle as a green truck or SUV towing a box utility trailer.
"We're asking anybody that may have seen that vehicle or has seen the vehicle since to come forward and contact IHIT," said Pound.
Given the closeness of the two shootings, Pound addressed concerns about the public's safety.
"We always like to remind the public that when these shootings occur in a residential area, in a public area, the public unfortunately are at risk," she said. "This also is a reason for the public to come forward with any information that they may have."
Anyone with information is asked to call the IHIT tip line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
