THE Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) has identified the victim of the Sunday, May 31 Surrey shooting as 18-year-old Gaurav Deol of Surrey in an effort to advance the investigation.
While the motivation behind the shooting is still under investigation, preliminary information indicates that this was a targeted incident related to gang activity.
On May 31 at approximately 12:22 a.m., Surrey Police Service (SPS) responded to reports of a shooting in the area of 138 Street and 62 Avenue. Officers located a man suffering from gunshot wounds inside a vehicle that had struck a power pole. Despite life-saving efforts by first responders, the man died at the scene.
Approximately 25 minutes later, RCMP Surrey Provincial Operations Support Unit (SPOSU) received a report of a car fire in the 10600-block of Salisbury Drive. A burnt white Toyota SUV was recovered and is believed to have been used in the shooting.
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) was called in and assumed conduct of the investigation.
IHIT continues to work in close partnership with SPS, SPOSU, the Integrated Forensic Identification Services (IFIS) and the BC Coroners Service.
“This is a tremendously difficult time for the victim’s family, and IHIT investigators are working with them to understand his lifestyle and activities leading up to the shooting,” says Sgt. Freda Fong of IHIT. “A lot of work is underway as we continue an extended canvass for witnesses and video at both the shooting and arson scenes.”
IHIT is seeking witnesses and dashcam video from anyone who was in the area of either scenes, between 10 p.m. on May 30 and 1 a.m. on May 31.
Anyone with information is urged to contact IHIT at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
