14 of 22 shootings related to turf war between a South Asian and a Somali group
SURREY RCMP, RCMP Lower Mainland District and the City of Surrey went on the DEFENSIVE on Monday, placing blame on a so-called “code of silence” and announcing the creation of a tip line dedicated to gathering information about the shootings that have occurred in Surrey and Delta over the past six weeks. The tip line is 604-915-6566 and will be monitored 24/7.
The move came after Sunday morning’s murder of Arun Paul Singh Bains, 22, at 126th Street and 88 Avenue. The victim was the son of the youngest brother of NDP MLA Harry Bains and police said he was known to be associated to the people connected to the street level drug trade conflict.
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Assistant Commissioner Dan Malo, Commander of the RCMP’s Lower Mainland Regional Police Service, said: “The law enforcement agencies in the Lower Mainland and the municipalities of Surrey and Delta are united in addressing the now fatal conflict between two lower-level drug trafficking groups whose turf war has erupted on our streets. The issue is certainly not about lack of police resources or level of integration between agencies. This is about the continued lack of information being shared by those criminals involved in this violence.”
He said a significant number of law enforcement agencies are working on the shooting investigations including the Surrey RCMP, Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU-BC), Delta Police, and Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT). Twenty-two shootings have been recorded in Surrey and Delta since March 9.
Chief Superintendent Bill Fordy, Officer-in-Charge of Surrey RCMP, said: “The police have shared everything possible with the public as we know how these situations can escalate. Unfortunately, this situation escalated over the weekend and, sadly, a 22-year-old man has been taken from us. To the people who are involved in these shootings, the choices you are making could also easily lead to your death, or that of innocent people in the community not connected to this conflict.”
Police have determined that 14 of the 22 shootings are related to a South Asian group and Somali group involved in low-level drug trafficking. The victims and intended victims of the shootings have been uncooperative with police, which has significantly impacted the ability of police to make arrests.
Surrey Mayor Linda Hepner said: “The police are doing all that they can, but they need information. The code of silence we have seen so far will only result in more heartache for the loved ones that are left behind. That is why I am imploring that anyone who has any information to come forward, do the right thing, and contact police.”
Acting Chief Lyle Beaudoin of the Delta Police said: “The community of Delta and the Delta Police are stakeholders in a cross jurisdictional crisis that is putting our communities at risk. As you can see from the leadership here today, this is our number one priority. We all live, coach, work and raise our families in our respective communities and we are committed to ensuring long term public safety that restores public confidence. If you have any information to help us advance these investigations, please contact us directly via the new tip line or Crime Stoppers if you wish to remain anonymous.”
Superintendent Dwayne McDonald, Officer-in-Charge of IHIT, said: “The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team will continue to work in conjunction with our partners throughout the Lower Mainland in our investigation of the murder of Arun Bains. IHIT is asking anyone who has information regarding the murder of Arun Bains to come forward and share it with police.”
Chief Superintendent Kevin Hackett of the CFSEU-BC said: “It is essential for cooperation and coordination between our policing partners. CFSEU-BC is working closely with the RCMP, IHIT, and Delta PD to restore the sense of safety and security back to the Lower Mainland. We want people to know engaging in this sort of brazen violence is unacceptable and offenders will be targeted.”
SURREY RCMP, City of Surrey, Surrey School District, and CFSEU-BC will host a Community Forum tomorrow evening (Tuesday, April 21) at Tamanawis Secondary School at 7 p.m. The forum will provide parents, students and area residents with information regarding the recent shootings in the area and the issues that are contributing to this type of violence.
Timeline of Shootings:
MARCH SHOOTINGS:
* March 9 at 9:27 p.m.: Surrey RCMP were advised that a male had been dropped off at a local hospital suffering of gunshot injuries. Police attended the hospital and obtained the victims details but were unable to identify the origin of the man’s injuries. The 20-year-old man was treated and released from hospital.
* March 10 at 6:42 p.m.: Four males were driving in a Cadillac CTS near 127 Street and 78 Avenue when they were shot at by the occupants of two vehicles, believed to be a black Acura TL and a Volkswagen Passat or Jetta. One of the males was shot in the neck and transported to the Surrey Memorial Hospital. None of the parties involved were cooperative with the police.
* March 10 at 11:09 p.m.: Multiple complainants reported a truck shooting at a black Acura near 128 Street and 76 Avenue. Both vehicles fled though casings were recovered at scene. There were no reports of anyone attending local area hospitals with gunshot wounds.
* March 11 at 1:31 p.m.: A male was driving in his black Acura near 132 Street and 80 Avenue when he was shot at multiple times by the occupant(s) of a white SUV. The male fled the scene in his vehicle and drove to an apartment complex located at on 102A Avenue. Members of the Surrey RCMP Drug Unit located the black Acura which had sustained damage as a result of the shooting. The vehicle was seized for forensic examination. The male was located uninjured nearby and refused to cooperate with the police.
* March 11 at 11:50 p.m.: Surrey RCMP responded to a call regarding a male with a gunshot injury in the area of 193 Street and 80 Avenue. That male was transported to hospital to be treated for his injuries. The male was identified as a 28-year-old Langley man. It has not been determined as to where that shooting took place. This incident appears to be drug-related and targeted.
* March 12 at 3:30 a.m., Surrey RCMP responded to a report of shots fired at a residence in the area of 94 Avenue and 126 Street. Once police arrived, all parties had departed. There have been no reports of injuries related to this shooting. Police have recovered evidence related to shots being fired from the area.
* March 26 at 8:40 p.m.: A male was stopped for a red light at Mall Access Road (12500 block) of 88 Avenue when a black SUV pulled alongside and shot into his vehicle. The male was struck in the left hip and the passenger was struck in the left wrist and thigh. Both drove to hospital for treatment and refused to cooperate with police.
* March 27 at 11:02 p.m. (DELTA): Multiple witnesses reported a four-door sedan fired five to seven shots into a residence then fled. Shell casings located in the front yard. Occupants in the residence at the time were not struck.
* March 28 at 8:38 p.m.: Multiple 911 calls of shots fired in the 9400 block of 125 Street, two vehicles observed fleeing. Police located the victim vehicle near 93 Avenue and 125 Street damaged by gunfire. A male was located at a local area hospital and treated for a gunshot wounds to his upper and lower arm. The male refused to cooperate with the investigation.
APRIL SHOOTINGS
* April 1 at 11:40 a.m.: 911 calls reported a black Honda was pursuing and firing shots into a Buick Regal southbound on 128 Street through 64 Avenue. Delta Police located Buick Regal with bullet holes and arrested a male on scene. The male was released and refused to cooperate with investigation. Shell casings recovered.
* April 5 at 5:47 p.m. (DELTA) : 911 calls report seven gunshots fired in rapid succession toward in the 11400 block of 79 Avenue, Delta, however no point of impact was located. Witnesses observed a silver four-door sedan with two South Asian occupants, one was seated in the rear had an arm out the window. Shell casings seized at scene and are pending a forensic examination by Delta Police.
* April 5 at 8:56 p.m. (DELTA): 911 caller reported five shots were fired into a residence, one bullet passed through residence and struck neighbour’s vehicle to the north. A grey vehicle was observed fleeing the scene, no shell casings were located.
* April 8 at 4:48 a.m.: Surrey RCMP responded to a compliant of shots fired in the 6800 block of 128 Street. A male was identified as a driver for a dial-a-dope drug dealer when he was followed away from a drug deal. The suspect vehicle began shooting at him from behind. The male drove to a local hospital and was treated for one gunshot wound to his back. The male was arrested on an outstanding warrant and provided very limited cooperation.
* April 10 at 5:05 a.m.: Surrey RCMP responded to a complaint of shots fired in the 11700 block of 96 Avenue. Shots were fired into a residence with people within the house. No one was injured and shell casings were found outside the residence.
* April 11 at 7:15 p.m.: Two males were driving in a vehicle when they were approached by a Nissan Altima in the area of 128 Street and 60 Avenue. None of the males were injured. Bullet casings were seized from the scene. The suspect vehicle has been seized by police.
* April 12 at 4:47 p.m.: Police were in the area, 130 Street and 70 Avenue, for an unrelated investigation when shots were heard. Police located a male with an injury to his leg, his friend and a vehicle with bullet holes. The male was taken to hospital. There has been no cooperation from these males.
* April 12 at 8:54 p.m.: Surrey RCMP responded to a report of shots fired in the area of 137 Street and 88 Avenue. Two males were observed walking down the street getting into a vehicle. Police responded and located a vehicle with bullet holes.
* April 13 at 1:57 a.m.: A grey four-door sedan and a grey Dodge Ram were in the area 77 Avenue and 146A Street when the occupants of the sedan fired four to five shots at the truck. The vehicle was located with bullet holes.
* April 13 at 10:30 p.m.: Surrey RCMP responded to a report of shots fired and a collision in the area of 148 Street and 69 Avenue. The driver of the vehicle that collided with a parked car took off from the area and was seen carrying a gun. The vehicle and bullet exhibits were seized from the scene. No one is cooperating with police.
* April 15 at 1:04 a.m.: Witnesses called police after observing a red Dodge Ram pickup and a dark grey sedan or SUV shooting back and forth at one another along 66 Avenue near 128 Street. Shell casings recovered by police. No victims reported to hospitals.
* April 17 at 1121 p.m.: Multiple reports of gun shots near 66 Avenue and 121 Street. One witness observed a grey sedan fleeing the area. Shell casing recovered by police. No victims reported to hospitals.
* April 19 at 2:49 a.m.: Homicide of Arun Bains.
