A café in Surrey, B.C., owned by Bollywood celebrity Kapil Sharma has been targeted with gunfire for the third time this year. The latest shooting at Kap’s Café was reported around 3:45 a.m., while staff were inside—though no one was injured. In a statement, the Surrey Police Service said officers attended the Newton business early Thursday morning to find it damaged by “numerous bullets.” The two previous shootings at Kap’s Café happened within a few weeks of each other over the summer. The first, on July 10, was captured on a social media video. Sharma, an Indian comedian and TV host, had just opened the business days earlier. No suspects have been identified in any of the alarming incidents, which authorities suspect are related to the ongoing problem of extortion-related violence in the city. In a statement, B.C. Public Safety Minister Nina Krieger said she is “deeply concerned” by reports of a third shooting at the café . “Gun violence has no place in our province, and we condemn any acts of intimidation, extortion or organized crime that put British Columbians at risk,” Krieger said. “To those who may be living in fear or facing threats: you are not alone. Help is available and we urge you to come forward. The safety of our communities depends on our collective resolve to stand against criminal activity.” The minster also pointed to the province’s recently-announced Extortion Task Force, a joint operation involving police from several jurisdictions, including Surrey. SPS spokesperson Ian MacDonald said he’s aware of people claiming to be associated to the Bishnoi gang taking responsibility for Thursday’s attack. “I want to emphasize that from a policing standpoint, we have to gather objective evidence, and so just because somebody claims responsibility that doesn’t that doesn’t mean that we conclude that that must be the case,” said MacDonald. He noted two different gangs claimed responsibility for the same shooting a few months ago, which was impossible. “So, what I would suggest is, sometimes these posts are taking place. Oftentimes, they’re taking place offshore or specifically online, but that doesn’t mean that the person claiming responsibility is ultimately responsible,” said MacDonald. Police asked anyone with information on the shooting, or with dash-cam or CCTV video form the area, to contact the department’s non-emergency line at 604-599-0502. Tips can also be given anonymously to Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-8477 or visiting SolveCrime.ca. With files from The Canadian Press
