Homicide detectives are investigating whether burning vehicles found in Langley and Pitt Meadows are connected to two separate fatal shootings in Surrey.
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team is investigating after a 14-year-old was shot and killed in the Guildford area of Surrey Monday night (Dec. 28) and a vehicle fire was reported in Langley shortly after.
Around 7:30 p.m., police responded to an incident in the 11000-block of 148A Street where they found the teen “suffering from gunshot wounds,” according to a release from Surrey RCMP.
Photos from the scene show the incident happened in a residential neighbourhood. There was police tape around the front of a house and a white sedan parked in front. There was also a tent sent up next to a taxi, behind the white sedan.
Sergeant Frank Jang, of IHIT, said the boy was pronounced dead at the scene.
“We learned that our victim arrived in the area by taxi when the shooting occurred,” Jang said during a media briefing on Tuesday.
He added the taxi driver was “unharmed and he is fully cooperating” with investigation.
No one else was hurt in the shooting, Jang said.
Police have not yet publicly identified the victim, but he was a resident of Burnaby.
Jang did say the victim was “known to police” and investigators “believe the victim was targeted for murder.”
Asked if Monday’s shooting was gang-related, Jang said “it’s too early to tell.”
“There’s nothing to indicate that as of yet, but that’s a moment by moment thing. That could obviously change, even as I’m speaking,” said Jang, adding the homicide is “certainly not random.”
Sergeant Elenore Sturko of @SurreyRCMP pic.twitter.com/5Sxc0zO0LZ
— Lauren Collins (@laurenpcollins1) December 29, 2020
Jang said police need help from the community, such as witnesses, dash-cam video,
He said a “dark sedan was seen leaving the area of the shooting, right after the shooting.”
Shortly after the Surrey shooting, Jang said Surrey RCMP received a report of a vehicle on fire in the area of 214th Street and 76th Avenue.
“Now, we haven’t yet definitively linked that vehicle to our earlier Surrey homicide, but our investigators are working to determine that,” said Jang.
Township of Langley crews responded to multiple reports of a vehicle fire in the 21400-block of 76th Avenue in the Yorkson neighbourhood.
Crews arrived to find a fully involved Honda Civic parked on the side of the road in a relatively remote area with large, gated properties.
The Honda is confirmed stolen from Abbotsford, according to Langley RCMP.
IHIT has been called to a new homicide in #SurreyBC. A man was shot and killed tonight at around 7:30pm near 148A St and 110 Ave. A vehicle fire has been reported in #LangleyBC. We'll be investigating that and homicide through overnight hours. Got info? Got video? Call IHIT pic.twitter.com/kJXwR1yKNg
— IHIT (@HomicideTeam) December 29, 2020
This comes a day after IHIT said it was investigating after a man was found with gunshot wounds in a vehicle in the area of 137A Street and 90th Avenue around 10:30 p.m. on Sunday.
The victim, 19-year-old Harman Singh Dhesi, was found with gunshot wounds and taken to hospital where he died.
Jang said Tuesday that “right now, there is no information, no evidence to link those two.”
“We realize the timing within 24 hours, but sometimes those things happen.”
A burning vehicle was found in the area of 176 Street and Ford Detour Road in Pitt Meadows at 1:55 a.m. Investigators are working to determine if it’s related to the homicide.
In a news release issued Monday IHIT put out a plea to the public, asking for help to further its investigation.
A burning vehicle was found in the area of 176St and Ford Detour Rd in Pitt Meadows at 1:55am. Working to determine if it's related to our homicide. Got info? Call IHIT.
— IHIT (@HomicideTeam) December 29, 2020
“The victim was known to police and his shooting is believed to be a targeted incident. Investigators will be working to determine motive,” the release said.
Jang said police are asking for anyone with dash-cam video to “secure the footage” and contact police immediately.
“The initial phase of any investigation is critical for us as we move quickly to secure time-sensitive and perishable evidence.”
Anyone with information is asked to call the IHIT information line at 1-877-551-4448 or email ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
READ ALSO: One man dead following shooting in Surrey, Dec. 28, 2020
— With files from Aaron Hinks, Joti Grewal
lauren.collins@surreynowleader.com
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