THE Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) has taken over conduct of a homicide investigation in Surrey following an incident in which two Surrey teens — one 16 years old and the other 18 years old — were shot dead in an underground parking lot on Sunday night.
At approximately 10:02 p.m. on May 10, Surrey Police Service (SPS) frontline officers responded to calls of a shooting in an underground parking lot in the 7000-block 133B Street. Officers located two males suffering from gunshot wounds and provided medical assistance until BCEHS arrived. Despite life saving efforts by police and BCEHS paramedics, the males were both pronounced deceased on scene.
No arrests have been made and at this early stage there is no suspect information to share, police said. IHIT is being supported by SPS to complete priority investigative tasks.
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) later assumed conduct of the investigation which is in its early stages. IHIT is working in collaboration with SPS, the Integrated Forensic Identification Services (IFIS), and the BC Coroners Service to advance the investigation.
Shortly after the shooting, a vehicle fire was reported in the area of 144 Street and 84 Avenue. Investigators recovered a burnt grey four-door sedan believed to be involved in the homicide and are actively working to identify the occupants who fled the scene.
IHIT investigators are working with the families of the victims to understand their activities leading up to the shooting. While the motive is still under investigation, investigators believe this to be a targeted incident related to the BC Gang Conflict.
“This shooting has left two families grieving the loss of young lives taken far too soon,” says Sgt. Freda Fong of IHIT. “Extensive work is underway as investigators pursue all available leads to identify and hold those responsible accountable.”
Fong later told the media that despite the victims’ young age, they “did have interactions with the police and those interactions involved contacts and connections to organized crime.”
IHIT is seeking witnesses or anyone with dashcam video in either area, 7000 block of 133B Street, as well as 144 Street and 84 Avenue, between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m., on May 10.
Also on Sunday, at 3:49 a.m., two men were shot outside the Chevron gas station in the 7100-block of 152 Street in Surrey. Officers found the men suffering from gunshot wounds and administered emergency medical aid. They were transported to hospital by BCEHS, where they were reportedly in critical condition.
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.
