Accused in homicides of Jagvir Malhi & Randeep Kang ‘connected to Brothers Keepers’ (update)

 

IT was allegedly the same individual who was involved in the murders of Jagvir Malhi of Abbotsford in November 2018 and Randeep Kang of Vancouver in October 2017.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) announced on Friday that it has arrested 21-year-old Tyrel Hieu Nguyen Quesnelle for his alleged involvement in the two murders.

(Police sources on Saturday told The VOICE the accused is ‘connected to Brothers Keepers’ crime group.)

On October 27, 2017, at approximately 8:53 p.m., 27-year-old Randeep Kang was shot and killed in the area of the 11300-block of Alpen Place, Surrey. IHIT took conduct of the investigation in partnership with Surrey RCMP.

On November 12, 2018, at approximately 3:30 p.m., 19-year-old Jagvir Malhi was shot and killed in the area of Ross Street and Simpson Road in Abbotsford. IHIT took conduct of that investigation in partnership with the Abbotsford Police Department.

After months of investigation, IHIT linked both incidents and determined they were connected to the same individual.

On December 20, 2019, with the assistance of the Edmonton Police Service, the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU) and the Alberta RCMP, IHIT arrested Quesnelle for the murders of Malhi and Kang. The BC Prosecution Service has approved first-degree murder charges against Quesnelle.

“The arrest today was the result of the tireless efforts of all our investigators and partners,” said IHIT Cpl. David Lee. “But the investigation continues and we are committed to resolving this to its fullest.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the IHIT information line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448), or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.

Should you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

 

 

Background: Randeep Kang

 

On October 27, 2017, just before 9 p.m., Surrey RCMP received a report of gunfire in the 11300-block of Alpen Place. Emergency first responders found two male victims with gunshot injuries. One of the victims was pronounced dead at scene and the second victim was taken to hospital.

Just after the shooting occurred, Surrey RCMP received a call of a dark-coloured SUV on fire on Wellington Drive, a short distance away from the shooting scene. Investigators believed this vehicle could be related to the homicide.

Three days later, IHIT identified the homicide victim as Randeep Kang, 27, of Vancouver.

IHIT Cpl. Frank Jang said at the time: “Mr. Kang was known to police and associated to gang activity. Investigators believe Mr. Kang’s murder was targeted and linked to other gang violence in the Lower Mainland.”

Jang said: “This was a brazen shooting in a residential neighbourhood and a blatant disregard for the safety of the public. There are people who have information about what happened. I urge these individuals to come forward and speak with IHIT so that we can hold those responsible to account.”

On November 3, 2017, The VOICE reported:

Randeep Kang, 27, of Vancouver, who was shot dead in Surrey last week on October 27, and his brother, who was injured in the shooting, were obviously targeted.

Their house at Kaslo Street and East 22nd Avenue was shot at just two months ago just before midnight on August 21. Vancouver Police said: “Investigators believe the incident was not random and that the house was targeted. There were no injuries. No arrests have been made and the investigation continues.” Sources said the Kang family no longer live there.

And three years ago, in August 2014, multiple shots were fired at the same house. Although they were not named back then, I had reported then that the house was that of one of the alleged chief players in the gang rivalry that was rocking the South Slope area of East Vancouver.

Police sources told me at the time that basically it was a conflict between two groups of South Asian youths, from four different families. There were two main players and each of them had a special friend.

In fact, because of the ongoing threats of violence at the time, Vancouver Police in August 2015 moved special security cameras to near the Kangs’ house. Just before that those cameras had been installed in the 1400-block of East 54 to keep a check on their rivals.

 

Jagvir Malhi Photo by JAY SHARMA of Mahi Photo Studio

Background: Jagvir Malhi

Jagvir Malhi, 19, who was killed on November 12, 2018, in Abbotsford was an innocent victim and was not involved in gangs, the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team announced on December 6, 2019.

IHIT investigators now believe that Jagvir Malhi was an unintended victim of what was a shooting targeting another individual.

“Jagvir Malhi was a young university student with no history of criminality; however, there were some individuals in his life that were involved in the Lower Mainland gang conflict,” said IHIT Sgt. Frank Jang.

(Back in November 2018, the South Asian media reported that Jagvir Malhi used to be a star basketball player in school. At the time, IHIT said: “This shooting occurred near a public school, a blatant disregard for the safety of the community. We are fortunate that school was not in session at this time. We believe this incident was not random, and is linked to the ongoing gang conflict in the Lower Mainland.”)

IHIT took conduct of the investigation and claimed earlier this month that it has since gathered significant evidence and has made great strides in the case with the assistance of the Abbotsford Police Department and its other policing partners. 

In the early stages of the investigation, IHIT learned of a burning dark blue Acura TL found in the area of 128A Street and 109th Avenue in Surrey around 4:20 p.m. on the same afternoon as the shooting.  It appeared the suspects attempted to burn the vehicle but the fire was quickly extinguished by the Surrey Fire Department before it sustained any significant damage.  Based on the information gathered, investigators have definitively linked the two incidents. 

An extensive neighbourhood canvass captured considerable video surveillance footage including one showing a white Mazda 3 driving in tandem with the blue Acura TL. Investigators believe the occupants of the blue Acura TL set the vehicle on fire before leaving the area in the white Mazda 3. IHIT would like to speak with anyone that has information about either vehicle.

In a tweet, IHIT said: “We have made great strides in the case and have identified suspects.”