Mounties search for suspects in shooting
Surrey RCMP are hunting for two young men who have been charged with attempted murder and recklessly discharging a firearm in relation to a shooting last week beside an elementary school.
Chief Supt. Bill Fordy said Friday that warrants have been issued for Shakiel Singh Basra and Amarpreet Samra, both 21, after the Crown approved charges. “What we are all asking for is the public’s continued and enhanced support so we can locate and arrest these two men,” Fordy, the officer in charge of Surrey RCMP, told reporters at a news conference. “I assure you we are actively looking for these two suspects.”
Both men are considered armed and dangerous. Anyone who spots them should call 911 or a special tip line, 604-915-6566. Surrey RCMP were called to the 7600-block of 124 Street about 6 p.m. Sept. 15 after reports of a shooting in the area.
The 22-year-old victim was found with serious injuries beside Strawberry Hill elementary. Some of the shots hit the school, as children were playing nearby.
“The details related to this shooting are very disturbing,” Fordy said, adding that it was fortunate there was no “collateral damage. … That almost happened here. Thankfully it didn’t.”
Basra, of Delta, and Samra, of Richmond, were among a group of men named by Fordy last April as being unco-operative with police investigating the conflict that has led to dozens of shootings this year, mostly in Surrey and North Delta. The pair is believed to be using a lightcoloured Jeep with Saskatchewan licence plates 685 JUD. The suspects are known to have ties in B.C., Alberta and Saskatchewan and Fordy said Mounties are working with police in other provinces. He wouldn’t comment on what evidence led to the charges being approved by the Crown Friday morning.
“I don’t think it would be appropriate to say anything that would compromise the investigation,” he said.
Basra is South Asian, 6-foot-3 and about 150 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Samra is also South Asian, 6 feet even and 141 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Basra has an assault conviction from July 2014. Samra’s only conviction is for driving without a licence.
Fordy said Surrey RCMP has received a lot more public cooperation in recent months with respect to the shootings. He said there are several investigations going on and more arrests are expected. “These shootings have been and continue to be my top priority,” he said. “We will continue to make arrests, identify suspects and work with Crown counsel to get the people engaged in this violence off the street.”