AFTER The VOICE made repeated phone calls to the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team on Tuesday and Wednesday, it finally released the name of last Saturday’s Surrey shooting victim on Wednesday: Birinder Khangura, 29.

“Mr. Khangura does not have a criminal record. In this early stage we believe this was a targeted shooting,” said IHIT Staff-Sgt. Jennifer Pound.

IHIT had announced last Saturday that they had taken over the investigation of a murder at 145th Street and 83A Avenue in  Surrey after “a shots fired call” at about 12:15 a.m. that day.

IHIT announced on Twitter: “1 deceased male located at scene. Appears targeted.”

IHIT also announced: “IHIT will provide more of an update and victim id on Monday. No further information being released at this time.”

But IHIT made no announcement on Monday or Tuesday and The VOICE started calling up IHIT media relations about it because of rumours in the South Asian community about the victim’s identity.

IHIT said on Wednesday that police found a male in his truck last Saturday suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.  He was pronounced dead at the scene.

It added: “Witnesses in the area reported a white minivan leaving the scene at the time the shots were heard.   At approximately 12:30 a.m., a white Pontiac Montana was recovered in an alley in the 8300 block of 141 Street.  This vehicle was found abandoned and on fire.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the IHIT tip line at 1-877-551-4448, or, to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477