Surrey murder victim was known to police
Verbal altercation turned physical, killing was not a random act, investigators say
Homicide police are asking for the public’s help after a man died from serious injuries sustained in a fight late Sunday near a McDonald’s in Surrey.
Surrey RCMP were called around 9 p.m. to a McDonald’s restaurant at 12930 96th Ave. after several people called 911 to report a fight.
First responders who arrived at the scene found a man collapsed in the parking lot, suffering from life-threatening injuries. The man was taken to hospital for treatment, but did not survive.
The victim has been identified as 48-year-old Lakhwinder Singh Bal of Surrey.
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team said Bal was known to police and investigators believe his murder was not a random act, although at this time there is nothing to suggest that the incident was linked to gang activity.
Bal had a criminal record that included convictions for assault and uttering threats.
“We need those who knew Mr. Bal the best to please come forward and assist our investigators in developing a timeline of his activities leading up to his death,” said Cpl. Frank Jang of IHIT.
“We need the community to partner with IHIT to solve Mr. Bal’s murder.”
Jang said at this point, it appears there was a verbal altercation that turned physical. It is unclear how many assailants were involved.
“The contents of that disagreement is crucial for us obviously, as it may speak to motive, why there was a physical altercation,” he said.
Jang said investigative priorities include conducting a thorough crime scene examination during daylight and doing an extensive neighbourhood canvass for witnesses and video surveillance footage.
A stretch of 96th Ave., between 128th and 130th Street, was closed for some time as police combed the scene for evidence.
A strip mall next to the McDonald’s was blocked off by police tape.
Investigators are now asking anyone who may have witnessed the fight or who may have spotted someone leaving the scene to contact police at 604-599-0502 and cite file 2018-123502.
“Somebody’s life was taken last night in our community. We need people with information to come forward,” Jang said.
Another person was killed after an incident at the same McDonald’s in January 2017.
Karanpartap Waraich, 22, was found in his vehicle — which had crashed into the Golden Arches at the front of the restaurant — suffering from gunshot wounds.
He died at the scene.