Three Indian Men Arrested in Surrey Shooting Amid Mayor's Emergency Plea
Another shooting incident tied to extortion occurred in Surrey on Sunday, resulting in the arrest of three Indian men, including a 19-year-old. This event unfolds as Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke appeals to the federal government to declare a national state of emergency in response to the escalating extortion cases plaguing the city.
Details of the Arrest and Charges
Surrey police officers responded to the shooting on Sunday and apprehended Harjot Singh, 21, Taranveer Singh, 19, and Dayajeet Singh Billing, 21. All three individuals have been charged with one count of discharging a firearm into a place. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the incident, but a home near Crescent Road and 132 Street sustained damage. Firefighters were called to extinguish a small fire by a fence on the property.
Surrey Police Service (SPS) spokesperson Staff Sgt Lindsey Houghton stated, "The investigation is ongoing and there may be additional Criminal Code charges coming in the weeks ahead." All three suspects have been remanded into custody. Authorities noted that it was not immediately clear whether they were illegal residents in Canada, and the Canada Border Services Agency is investigating their exact status.
Community Response and Extortion Patterns
On Monday, a group of protesters took to the streets, demanding enhanced public safety measures in Surrey. Residents expressed frustration, noting that even when perpetrators are arrested, they are often released on bail. This has led many families to refrain from reporting incidents and instead pay the criminals out of fear.
The extortionists follow a consistent modus operandi: they target businessmen, predominantly of South Asian origin, fire shots outside their homes, and record videos of the act. These videos are then sent to the targets with demands for money, accompanied by threats that the next shooting will occur inside the house.
Mayor's Call for Federal Action
Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke recently urged the federal government to declare a national state of emergency, citing that residents are living in constant fear due to organized crime. In a council meeting, Locke emphasized, "Surrey is facing a serious and growing crisis of organized extortion, intimidation and targeted shootings. Residents and business owners are living in constant fear. Public safety is at risk, and the social and economic impact is real. The federal government needs to act now to give authorities the additional tools we need to keep our residents safe."
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges in Surrey as authorities grapple with a surge in extortion-related violence, prompting calls for more robust interventions to ensure community safety.
