Homicide detectives issued a public plea for information on Thursday about a nine-year-old murder case in which an innocent man was gunned down in Surrey, B.C. Jatinder “Michael” Sandhu, 28, died in hospital after he was shot in a residential area near the 14300 block of 90A Avenue on July 23, 2016, in what police believe was a case of mistaken identity. One other man was injured in the shooting but survived, according to police. “This year, Michael would have turned 37,” Sandhu’s family said in a statement provided by the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team on Thursday. “We have missed eight of his birthdays,” the statement said. “Michael loved his birthdays. We still acknowledge this day with his favourite cake and letting off balloons at time of his birth.” The homicide team maintains conduct of the investigation, which has been designated an unsolved case, the agency said. “While the evidence gathered to date indicates the shooting was linked to the B.C. gang conflict, investigators believe that these victims were not the intended targets,” the police statement said. “Neither Michael nor the surviving victim had criminal records.” The Sandhu family described an “emptiness” that “will never fade” with the loss of their loved one. “There may be people out there who may have information about that night, if so please help bring justice to our family,” the statement concluded. Anyone with information related to the case is asked to contact IHIT at 1-877-551-IHIT or ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
