IHIT requests public assistance in identifying suspect in Monday’s homicide of Birinderjeet Justin Bhangu

THE Integrated Homicide Investigation Team on Friday appealed to the public to help identify and locate a suspect in relation to the homicide of 29-year-old Birinderjeet Justin Bhangu who was shot and killed on Monday (March 13) while seated in his vehicle in the parking lot of the Comfort Inn Hotel in the 8200-block of 166th Street in Fleetwood, Surrey.

Surrey RCMP and the Surrey Fire Department attended and made all efforts to save Bhangu. He was transported to hospital and pronounced dead shortly after.

IHIT Staff-Sgt. Jennifer Pound said: “Mr. Bhangu is known to police and, while a motive hasn’t been confirmed, it is believed that this shooting was as a result of his criminal lifestyle.”

Pound revealed the following timeline:

*Bhangu was driving an Acura MDX and pulled into a parking spot in front of the hotel at 2:22 p.m.

* The suspect was driving a Nissan Pathfinder and was backed into a parking spot close by.

* At 2:23 p.m. the suspect exited his vehicle and approached Bhangu from the driver’s side of the vehicle.

* While approaching the vehicle, the suspect began shooting at 2:24 p.m.

* The suspect ran back to his vehicle and fled the parking lot westbound, making a right hand turn onto Fraser Highway.

*The Nissan Pathfinder, driven by the suspect, was recovered in Kelowna the following day (March 14)

Pound said: “Members of the community, the general public and even those entrenched in this lifestyle themselves should be outraged by the arrogance and inhumanity that was exhibited on this day. This was a shooting in broad daylight in an area where families and community members frequent.  For this, we need anyone with information about this individual to come forward.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact 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, please contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).