‘Mistaken identity’ homicide unsolved
Paul Bennett was a 47-yearold nurse, a father of two boys and a hockey coach to a group of nine-to-11-year-olds.
On June 23 he was gunned down in front of his home in Surrey, B.C., the victim of mistaken identity.
Bennett was killed by a gunman who fired more than half a dozen shots in broad daylight in a busy cul-de-sac.
“This was a mistaken identity. Paul Bennett was an innocent victim. No information has surfaced through our investigation that would say … that he was involved in any form of criminal activity,” said Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) spokesman Cpl. Frank Jang on Thursday.
“He was a completely innocent person and I understand that this is very unsettling news to the community. Paul was a leader in the community … he helped save lives.”
Darlene Bennett described her husband, who worked in the Peace Arch Hospital’s operating room as a nurse, as a caring and compassionate man.
“He volunteered his time freely whether it be to coach the boys in sports or pick up an unfilled call shift at the hospital. He loved being a nurse, especially working
PAUL WAS A LEADER ... HE HELPED SAVE LIVES (AS A NURSE).
in the operating room. He found his element. In the midst of chaos there is always opportunity to save a life or improve it,” she said.
She said her husband’s murder had left her family traumatized.
“Paul did not have a criminal record and was not involved in any criminal activity. We never thought he would die in such a senseless, violent way,” she said. “There was a complete disregard for public safety as he was murdered in a quiet residential area.”
Bennett urged anyone who knew about her husband’s murder to notify IHIT investigators.
IHIT was still trying to determine who was the intended target and what the motive was behind the shooting, said Jang.
Citizens and councillors in Surrey are worried about a recent spate of gun violence and killings that has hit their community.
Earlier in June, police found the bodies of 16-yearold Jaskarn Singh Jhutty and 17-year-old Jaskaran Singh Bhangal at the side of a rural road. They had been shot and killed.