THE Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) on Saturday identified the January 9 homicide victim in Abbotsford as 28-year-old Navpreet Dhaliwal from Abbotsford.
IHIT said he was known to police and his name is being released to the public in an effort to advance the investigation.
His name had already been spread on social media in the South Asian community and many wonder why IHIT took so long to identify him.
On January 9 at approximately 12:38 p.m., Abbotsford Police responded to a report of a shooting in the 3200-block of Siskin Drive. Frontline officers attended the scene and located a man suffering from serious injuries.
BC Emergency Health Services (BC EHS) attended and despite the urgent life-saving efforts of first responders, the man succumbed to his injuries on scene.
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) took conduct of the investigation.
IHIT said initial information and investigative efforts indicate that this shooting was a targeted event, linked to the ongoing BC Gang Conflict.
IHIT is working in partnership with the BC Coroners Service and Abbotsford Police to complete priority tasks and continue with video canvassing in the area.
“This was a targeted and brazen shooting that took place in the middle of the day,” said Cpl. Esther Tupper of IHIT. “If you have information and have yet to speak to police regarding this investigation, please contact IHIT immediately.”
IHIT is seeking witnesses, CCTV or anyone with dash cameras who was in the area of Blue Jay Street and Siskin Drive, Abbotsford on January 9 between the hours of 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., who have not already spoken with police to contact the IHIT Information Line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
IN August 2024, Abbotsford Police said that they recognized the public safety risk that Navpreet Dhaliwal and another South Asian man, who were connected to the ongoing BC Gang Conflict, presented and issued a public notification that the two who were released from custody on bail until their trial would be residing within west Abbotsford.
In late 2022, the Abbotsford Police Department’s Drug Enforcement Unit initiated a large-scale drug trafficking investigation focusing on the activities of the two Abbotsford residents.
During the investigation, multiple search warrants were executed at several residences in Abbotsford and Surrey, resulting in almost six kilograms of fentanyl, two kilograms of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, morphine, large amounts of cash and firearms being seized, Abbotsford Police said at the time.
As a result of additional evidence being obtained during the drug investigation, the Abbotsford Police Major Crime Unit initiated “Project High Table,” focusing on the two men as investigators believed they were conspiring to commit murder.
On February 21, 2024, they were arrested and charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit murder and remanded into custody.
Further charges of trafficking a controlled substance and firearms offences were also laid, Abbotsford Police said in a press release in August 2024.
