MANVIR Basram, 23, of Surrey, Sahib Basra, 20, and Harkirat Jhutty, 23, all of Surrey, and Keilon Francois, 20, of Ontario, were on Saturday charged with first-degree murder in relation to the June 7 shooting death of Yuvraj Goyal of Surrey.

Although initial evidence suggests this was a targeted shooting, investigators are working to determine the reason that Goyal, a community member with no history of police contact, was killed.

On Friday, June 7 at approximately 8:46 a.m., Surrey RCMP received a call of a shooting in the 900-block of 164 Street. Officers found a 28-year-old man, later identified as Goyal, deceased.

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A short time later, police were advised of a vehicle fire in the 18500-block of McMillan Road in Surrey. As a result of the quick coordinated response of Surrey RCMP, Air 1 and the Lower Mainland Integrated Emergency Response Team (IERT), four suspects were identified and taken into custody.

According to Punjabi journalist Gurpreet Singh Sahota, Yuvraj (Yuvi) Goyal hailed from Ludhiana, Punjab, and was the only child of his parents, who had visited him just a few weeks ago. He came here as an international student six years ago and worked and volunteered at many places. He wanted to be a police officer.

Charu Singhla, Goyal’s sister, and her husband, Bawandeap, told Global News that Goyal, who worked at a car dealership in Surrey, was on the phone with his mother in India about a minute or 30 seconds before he was shot. He had called his mother when he left the gym and as he stepped out of his car and said goodnight to her, he was shot. (There is a time difference of 12.5 hours between Pacific Time and Indian Standard Time.)

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) took conduct of the investigation and have been working closely in partnership with Surrey RCMP, the Integrated Forensic Identification Service and the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of BC (CFSEU-BC) in a collaborative effort to advance the investigation.

“We’re thankful for the hard work of the Surrey RCMP, Air 1 and IERT, but there is still more work to be done,” says IHIT Sgt. Timothy Pierotti of IHIT.  “IHIT investigators remain dedicated to determining why Mr. Goyal was the victim of this homicide.”

IHIT is asking anyone with information who has yet to speak with police, or anyone who was driving in the 900-block of 164 Street between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. or in the 18500-block of McMillan Road between 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.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.

As this investigation is now before the courts, IHIT said it will not be available for comment.

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