THE Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) on Sunday identified Saturday’s homicide victim in Abbotsford as Amritpal Saran of Abbotsford.

Social media had already identified him on Saturday, saying that he was aligned with the United Nation’s gang.

On January 20 at approximately 5:45 p.m., Abbotsford Police received a call of a shooting in the north-east section of the underground mall parking lot of Sevenoaks Shopping Centre in the 32900-block of South Fraser Way. Officers located a 25-year-old man deceased inside a vehicle.

IHIT has taken conduct of the investigation and will be working closely in partnership with Abbotsford Police and the BC Coroners Service.

Shortly after the shooting, police were advised of a vehicle fire in the 2900-block of Townshipline Road in Abbotsford. IHIT investigators are working with Abbotsford Police’s forensic experts to determine any connection between the two scenes.

Initial evidence suggests this was a targeted shooting.  Investigators have now released the name of the victim in hopes of furthering their investigation.

“This was a careless shooting, showing no concern for public safety,” said IHIT Sgt. Timothy Pierotti. “We are looking to speak with witnesses who were at either the mall parking lot where the shooting occurred, or scene of the vehicle arson.”

IHIT is asking anyone with information who has yet to speak with police, or anyone who was driving in the northeast section of the mall parking lot between 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. or in the 2900-block of Townshipline Road between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. with dash-camera footage to contact the IHIT Information Line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.

IN December 2020, Saran, who was 22 at the time, was arrested by Abbotsford Police in connection with an August 29 shots fired incident at a residence in the 338000-block of Mayfair Avenue.

Abbotsford Police patrol officers were called to the residence on August 29 at 9:55 p.m. Officers spoke to Saran who told them that he and his girlfriend were in their vehicle in the driveway, when the occupants of a dark pick-up fired a gun towards him, hitting their vehicle in the driveway and the residence.  The occupants of the suspect vehicle fled the area.

Fortunately, no one was injured. Police said at the time that they did not believe that this was a random attack.

Last May, Saran pleaded guilty to charges of possession of a restricted firearm and unauthorized possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle in connection to that incident.

The Abbotsford News reported that according to court documents, the judge said there was a strong case to prove that Saran was the first to fire at gang rivals.

Video evidence showed that Saran jumped out of the passenger seat of his vehicle and continually shot at a pickup truck that pulled up to his home. The occupants of the truck retaliated.

Evidence found in Saran’s home included a Dagger semi-automatic shotgun, a banana-style magazine with nine Winchester 12-gauge shotgun shells, an ammunition box with 10 223-calibre rifle rounds, and another box with 32 9mm rounds.

There were also boxes of various other ammunition, a taser rod, a firearm stock and a Glock pistol magazine with nine 9mm rounds.

Abbotsford News reported that Saran was reportedly to be sentenced in the case next week.

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