Witnesses called Surrey RCMP shortly after 9 p.m. on Thursday evening to report the two vehicles exchanging gunfire in the 11000 block of 142 A St. in Surrey. Multiple witnesses said one of the vehicles was a dark-coloured sedan while the other was a black pick-up truck.
RCMP said they found evidence at the scene that multiple shots were fired. They were unable to say if this shooting is related to gang violence that has taken place this year. There has been an ongoing battle between two gangs in the Surrey and North Delta area during virtually all of 2015
“The investigation is in its early stages and police are not able to say whether this shooting is linked to any other shootings,” Sgt. Johal said in a press release. “Officers conducted neighbourhood canvassing and spoke with several witnesses to obtain further information.”
There’s been as many as 45 shootings, and three deaths, related to what the Mounties are calling a turf war between “two groups involved in low-level drug trafficking.” RCMP say the groups are of “South Asian and Somalian descent” and have “chosen to jeopardize public safety” to further their turf war.
In news that may be related, RCMP say they have taken Amarpreet Samra, 21, into custody. He is a suspect in a shooting that took place on Sept. 15 near the Strawberry Hill Elementary School in which a man was wounded.
He is charged with attempted murder and dangerous use of a firearm.
