By Glenda Luymes, Vancouver Sun, with files from Now
SURREY — Two young men are dead after a shooting Friday evening in Surrey.
Police were called to 159 Street and 110 Avenue just before 7:30 p.m. and found 19-year-old Ashim Raza and 24-year-old Vikram Toor suffering from gunshot wounds. One of them was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other was taken to hospital, where he later died.
According to a homicide team press release, investigators believe the shooting was independent from the gangland violence that has rocked the Lower Mainland in recent weeks.
The scene of the fatal @CityofSurrey shooting in Fraser Heights this morning. @SurreyRCMP @CKNW pic.twitter.com/NdlBIdlgPQ
— Janet Brown (@JanetBrown980) October 29, 2016
“It is early in the investigation, but police are making every effort to establish the motive for the shooting,” said Cpl. Meghan Foster. “We ask that the public exercise vigilance, while we work to find justice for our victims and their families.”
The shooting happened in Fraser Heights, a quiet family-oriented neighbourhood north of the Trans-Canada Highway, near an elementary school, playground and sports fields.
The homicide happened hours after the province’s public safety minister Mike Morris made a statement reassuring the public that police are working tirelessly to try to put an end to a recent string of gang-related violence.
Police have linked two killings and several shootings this month to gang involvement.
There have been 56 shootings in Surrey so far this year.
Double shooting one dead in Surrey BC Canada RCMP collecting evidence at 159 St & 110 Ave. Metro Vancouver #Gang wars @bcRCMP @SurreyRCMP pic.twitter.com/W89vjOeFNK
— BCNEWSVIDEO (@Bcnewsvideo) October 29, 2016
On Monday morning, a man was expected to survive after being shot at a car wash near 92nd Avenue and 120th Street. Witnesses at the scene told the Now that Elite Auto Spa (9215 120th St.) was roped off and much of the police activity was concentrated there.
And there was a shooting in Burnaby Wednesday that injured a man on the same day that human remains were found alongside a Langley street in what police said was a targeted killing.
In response to those incidents, B.C.’s public safety minister stepped in to reassure residents after several reports of targeted violence and deaths connected to gang activity in Metro Vancouver.
Morris said B.C.’s anti-gang units have their targets set on known gang members and their associates and he has confidence the units are working hard on the investigations.
Morris says in a statement that he shares the public’s concern about the risk to innocent bystanders to gang violence and police are working tirelessly to disrupt and stop these people.
The minister says two new 10-person teams within the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit are now fully operational.
Coroner’s van just arrived at @SurreyRCMP shooting @CKNW @CityofSurrey pic.twitter.com/DaKBftjoyQ
— Janet Brown (@JanetBrown980) October 29, 2016
