Homicide investigators say Sechelt resident Khan Michael Bourne, 32, was shot dead in Whalley on Tuesday afternoon.
Surrey Mounties were called to the 13300-block of 114th Avenue at 3:18 p.m. about a man lying on the ground, suffering from gunshot wounds. He died in hospital.
RELATED: Surrey RCMP investigating after ‘sudden death’ of man found with critical injuries
Samantha Baker, Bourne’s cousin, said he was “fearless and strong, handsome and kind” in a Facebook post Wednesday afternoon. She said Bourne was part of the Sechelt First Nation.
“The love you have for your dear mom, your sister and all of us females in our family, we felt that and will honour you back with that same respect and care now, paddle your canoe and kiss your daddy for me, our grandparents and all the greats up there,” Baker said in the post. “You’re our King in the sky, dance and enjoy your ceremony up there. Ancestors stay with us, protect our ‘uncle Khan’ and surround him in your everlasting light and love Creator.”
The Now-Leader has reached out to both Baker and the Sechelt First Nation for comment.
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has conduct of the investigation now.
Corporal Frank Jang, spokesman for the IHIT, said Bourne was “known to police,” and it is believed Bourne was “targeted for murder.” Jang said Bourne has a criminal record.
“But as far as the motive, which is really the most important thing for us right now, we’re still trying to determine that,” said Jang, adding that “right now, it’s a little early to definitively link this to gang activity.”
IHIT now says Bourne was found with gunshot wounds, laying on the ground. Yesterday, @SurreyRCMP did not say what Bourne’s injuries were. #SurreyBC
— Lauren Collins (@laurenpcollins1) April 24, 2019
Asked if Bourne frequently came to Surrey, Jang said he doesn’t know.
“Just from the preliminary checks, it shows that he worked and lived in Sechelt,” Jang said. We need to know who he was meeting with, what he was doing, things like that. Police databases and police checks can only take us so far. We really need those who knew him the best.”
Jang said officers are looking for witnesses and anyone with dash cam or cell phone video, who was in the area around the time of the incident.
Jang said a vehicle “fled the scene” immediately after the shooting and police are looking for video surveillance footage, dash cam and cell phone video. He said some witnesses have already come forward.
During a press conference on Wednesday (April 24), Jang said officers don’t have a description of the vehicle yet.
“Once our investigators have had time to go through that video, at that point, we will have a make and model for the vehicle description.”
Police ask anyone with information to call the IHIT Information Line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448), email police at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca, contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or visit solvecrime.ca.
According to the Surrey RCMP there have been 15 reports of shots fired in the city so far this year. There were 38 shootings in Surrey in 2018, and 59 in 2017. In 2016 there were 61 and in 2015 there were 88.
Meantime, besides Bourne’s death IHIT is investigating six other homicides in Surrey since Jan. 1st.
Amrendra Vijay Kumar, 30, was shot dead at a Newton townhouse complex in the 13900-block of 72nd Avenue in Newton on April 19.
A man and woman died following a standoff with police on March 29 near 132A Street and 100A Avenue in Whalley. The man was shot; how the woman died has not been revealed. Police have not disclosed their names.
A 60-year-old man died in hospital after he was found suffering from injuries in the 13300-block of 105th Avenue in Whalley on Feb. 17.
Bikramjit Khakh, 30, was shot dead in the 13900-block of 58A Avenue in Newton on Feb 1, and Rajwinder Bains, 38, was found dead after she was reported missing on Jan. 23. Police have not disclosed where or when her body was discovered.
lauren.collins@surreynowleader.comLike us on Facebook Follow us on Instagram and follow Lauren on Twitter
