Shots fired at Surrey business while staff inside, police say

Shots fired Thursday marked the second targeted attack at a business in Surrey, attacks believed to be connected to an extortion-linked gang.

Vehicles and buildings were damaged when shots were fired in Surrey early Thursday morning, according to authorities.

Police were called to a business on 116 Avenue near 128 Street at 3 a.m., the Surrey Police Service said in a news release.

“Officers arrived on scene and located several bullet casings and damage to buildings and vehicles. Officers determined that there were no injuries to anyone despite staff being on scene at the time of the shots being fired,” the statement from the department said.

The business, police have since confirmed, was Nijjar Trucking Ltd.

Cars with shattered windshields were towed away from the scene Thursday afternoon, and a number of bullet holes could be seen in the building’s exterior.

Owner Raghbir Singh Nijjar told CTV News the company opened in 1991.

“We’re scared,” he said. “We came over here (to Canada) for safety and better futures.”

The shots fired report came less than 24 hours after police were dispatched to investigate an incident at the same location.

“Suspects used gasoline to damage vehicles but were scared off by on-site security,” the SPS said.

CCTV video provided to CTV News shows two people dressed in black with their faces covered carrying gas canisters, dousing several parked cars and smashing the vehicles’ windows.

Police have not said if these incidents are related to ongoing extortion threats in the city, but did say “connections to other incidents and potential motives are still being explored.”

Nijjar, however, told CTV News he has been targeted for extortion, receiving a demand for $500,000. He also said his home was shot at last year.

Anyone with information about these incidents is urged to call 604-599-0502 and quote file number 25-50413. Anonymous tips can be provided to Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-8477.