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Surrey RCMP reaching out to Sikh, Somalian elders after 'drug turf' shootings

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SURREY — Police say two groups - one of Somalian decent, the other, South Asian - are believed to be responsible for 11 of 21 shootings in Surrey and North Delta since the second week of March.

Since March 9, there have been 18 shootings in Surrey and three in Delta.

CLICK HERE TO SEE AN INTERACTIVE MAP AND TIMELINE OF THE SHOOTINGS

"We believe these two groups are competing over drug turf," Surrey RCMP Chief Supt. Bill Fordy said, "and have chosen to jeopardize public safety in that process.

"We have reached out to elders in both the Sikh and Somali communities," he said. "In addition, we have spoken to many of the family members of the persons that have participated in this violence."

Fordy and Delta Police's acting chief, Lyle Beaudoin, briefed reporters Tuesday afternoon on the state of the investigations. They also displayed the photographs of the shooting victims and intended victims to date. None were killed.

SCROLL TO THE END OF THE STORY TO SEE PHOTOS POLICE HAVE RELEASED

Among the victims are Surrey residents Derrick Bequette, 33, Chadanjot Gill, 18, Tirath Taggar, 25, and Charandeep Tiwana, 23, Pardeep Singh, 20, and Indervir Johal, 21, as well as Delta resident Sukhpreet Pansal, 25.  

Police listed Surrey residents Adam Lakatos, 20, and Sukhraj Chahal, 24, as well as Shakiel Basra, 20 of Delta, among the intended victims.

Investigators are also seeking information on Surrey residents Sameh Mohammed, 20, Amrit Kular, 20, and Delta resident Pardip Brar, 20.

"Today, I again appeal to the family, friends and those of you who know any of the people pictured here," Fordy said. "We need information on their whereabouts, their connections and their activities.

Any information could benefit the investigations and help prevent somebody else being shot."

So far there has been only one arrest. Arman Dhatt, 18, who was not among those whose photo was shown at the press conference, was arrested this past Friday at his Delta home, and has been charged with 12 gun and drug related crimes.

Guns, heroin, crack cocaine and methamphetamine and a "significant" amount of Canadian crash was seized, Fordy said. He is to appear in Surrey provincial court today (April 16).

Fordy said the victims and intended victims of these shootings have so far been uncooperative with police and have tried to brush off investigators with comments such as "'The bullets fell from the sky...I will take care of myself...Don't you worry about it...No need for you cops to be here.'"

"One of the victims also told investigators that he knew who the shooters were, what the motive was, but he did not wish to tell the police. As you can imagine, this lack of cooperation has significantly impacted our abilities to advance a prosecution at this stage."

While the victims and suspects, Fordy said, "are determined to settle their differences outside the law, we are determined to stop the violence. We are disappointed with the lack of cooperation from the victims and we know the community is frustrated as well."

"To those that are involved, I ask you to think about your families, I ask you to think about your friends, and I ask you to think about the safety of the general public as you choose to settle these scores."

Beaudoin said the "brazen nature of the shootings in residential and other public locations where members of the community should feel safe is hugely concerning and our utmost priority."

Delta Police, he said, will "continue to vigorously investigate these shootings in an attempt to locate and prosecute those responsible."

The latest shooting happened at 1 a.m. Wednesday in the area of 128th Street and 66th Avenue. Police said a red pickup and grey SUV were involved. There were no reports of injuries and nobody had been arrested by press time. Police said they found multiple bullet casings at the scene.

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tzytaruk@thenownewspaper.com



About the Author: Tom Zytaruk

I write unvarnished opinion columns and unbiased news reports for the Surrey Now-Leader.
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