Gangsters charged in woman’s 2010 slaying
Two Abbotsford gangsters have been charged in the fatal 2010 shooting of a young mother and the attempted murder of her gangster boyfriend.
Gavinder Grewal, about whom police have issued warnings in the past, has been charged with manslaughter in connection with the July 2010 shooting that killed Mandy Johnson, as well as the attempt on the life of Gater Browne, her boyfriend at the time.
Also charged is Jason Gregory Himpfen, 41. He faces one count of second-degree murder and one of attempted murder.
Grewal, 29, was arrested Friday afternoon while Himpfen was picked up Wednesday morning as he was released from the Fraser Regional Correctional Centre after serving another sentence.
Johnson was shot to death July 28, 2010, as she sat in the passenger’s seat of Browne’s vehicle near Poplar Avenue and Townline Road.
Her mother issued a statement through the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team Wednesday.
“Mandy was innocent and did not deserve to die. She was a loving mother, an amazing daughter, a wonderful sister and the best friend to many. She was caring, compassionate and full of life. Until they decided to take her life away,” said the statement, signed “Mandy’s mom.”
“This selfish act has changed my life, and the lives of those who knew and loved her, forever. Her only fault was falling in love with a guy that didn’t deserve her and trusting that her love would be enough. It was not enough and she sadly paid with her life.”
The mother said the pain of losing her daughter would never go away.
“As I look back at the last six years I know that these charges did not come without dedication and commitment and, as my family and I move through the next chapter of this process, I want to thank all of the investigators whose hard work and perseverance will finally bring justice for Mandy.”
Browne, who was not injured in the shooting, later admitted on his Facebook page he was the intended target. He threatened to name the killers and also openly plotted revenge.
Browne later told a judge his life spiralled out of control after Johnson’s death. He said he had been prepared to leave gang life behind when he fell in love Johnson. But after he lost her, he started using drugs daily and carrying a loaded gun.
He was arrested in Surrey after a high-speed police chase and in 2012, was sentenced to 41/2 years in jail.
Staff Sgt. Jennifer Pound said the case “is another example of how difficult homicide investigations can be.”
“IHIT has remained committed to obtaining justice for Mandy Johnson despite the passage of time and we would be remiss if we did not thank the family and friends for their patience,” she said.
Himpfen has a lengthy criminal history dating back 20 years, including convictions for assault with a weapon, possession of stolen property, theft, breaches, drug trafficking and possession of a loaded, restricted firearm.
Grewal has a criminal conviction for extortion and possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking. He is prohibited from possessing firearms.
Grewal, along with two associates, was the subject of an extraordinary public warning by the Abbotsford Police Department last year. All three were believed to be involved in the ‘Townline Hill conflict’ that has led to several shootings. One of the three, Jimi Sandhu, was deported to his native India in April.