Multiple arrests have been made after a gang-related shooting in the middle of Whistler Village midday Sunday (July 24) left two people dead.
Whistler RCMP say they responded to a report of shots fired outside the Sundial Boutique Hotel, in the 4300-block of Sundial Crescent, at 12:19 p.m. Sunday. The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of B.C., which investigates organized crime and gangs in the province, says it was called to the scene at about the same time.
Just before 1 p.m., Whistler Blackcomb took to Twitter to say its Fitzsimmons Express and Whistler Village Gondola were on standby with no estimated time of them being back up and running.
#WBOps Due to an incident in the village, the Fitzsimmons Express and the Whistler Village Gondola are now on standby. No ETA.
— Whistler Blackcomb Operations (@wbmtnops) July 24, 2022
Social media was flooded with photos and videos around the same time, including one video posted to Twitter that shows one man lying on a sidewalk in a pool of blood next to a white BMW, and another laying nearby in the street. RCMP have since confirmed one person died at the scene and a second soon succumbed to their injuries at the Whistler Medical Clinic.
They have been identified as Satindera Gill and Meninder Dhaliwal, both known to police. In May 2021, Dhaliwal was named as one of eight men sought by B.C.’s special enforcement unit for involvement in the Lower Mainland gang conflict. He was also named on the Vancouver Police Department’s “targeted” gangsters list.
The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit released a poster in May 2021 featuring the names and photos of suspects involved in the Lower Mainland gang conflict. (Courtesy of CFSEU)
Two people were also arrested. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) says they believe the shooting was targeted and gang-related. They believe a burned out vehicle found in the 3300-block of Ptarmigan Place, a couple kilometres away from the shooting, is connected.
IHIT says there is no ongoing risk to the public. It is asking for anyone who was in the area of the shooting or burning vehicle between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Sunday to contact them immediately at 1-877-551-4448 or ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
Whistler Blackcomb closed for the remainder of the day Sunday “out of respect for all those impacted,” according to a post it made to Twitter.
Our teams have resumed operations temporarily to allow guests to download the mountains and leave safely. We are shocked and deeply saddened by this senseless act of violence, and we stand in support of our community.
(2/2)— Whistler Blackcomb Operations (@wbmtnops) July 24, 2022
@janeskrypnek
jane.skrypnek@blackpress.ca
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