Surrey police investigating shots fired at business

A Surrey police department logo is seen on an officer's jacket in Surrey, B.C., Monday, Oct. 31, 2022. (Darryl Dyck / The Canadian Press)

Police in Surrey are investigating shots fired at a business in the city’s northwest Friday morning.

While the motive for the incident is still under investigation, it comes as police and city officials ramp up efforts to deal with extortion attempts targeting South Asian businesses and residents.

The Surrey Police Service said it was called to the scene in the 10800 block of 125 Street around 8:35 a.m.

“Police arrived on scene and located numerous bullet holes in the rear of a business,” reads a statement from the SPS.

“Fortunately, there were no reported injuries.”

Police asked anyone with information about the incident – including dash cam or surveillance video – to contact them at 604-599-0502 and quote file number 25-81853 (SP).

Tips can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers.

Extortion attempts in the spotlight

Friday’s shooting shares similarities with dozens of others that have left bullet holes in businesses in Surrey and elsewhere in the Lower Mainland this year.

Some of the shootings have been depicted on social media by the apparent perpetrators.

In July, a video filmed inside the vehicle of a shooter showed them opening fire with a handgun on Kap’s Cafe, a Surrey restaurant linked to Indian comic and television host Kapil Sharma. The business was shot up again the next month.

Such crimes have gripped communities across Canada, and some police have accused the India-based Lawrence Bishnoi gang of involvement, setting off a call from B.C. Premier David Eby and others to have the gang declared a terrorist organization.

The mayor of Surrey announced a $250,000 reward fund on Monday for information leading to convictions for extortions in the city. Police say they’re investigating 44 such cases, including 27 that involved shootings.

Speaking at a news conference announcing an expanded task force to combat extortion attempts on Wednesday, B.C. RCMP Assistant Commissioner John Brewer told reporters police do not believe many of the attacks share the same perpetrators.

While some may have been co-ordinated, others could have been “copied as a crime of opportunity,” he said.

Brewer said on Tuesday that the task force will bring dedicated and expanded resources, intelligence and tactical skills to help find those responsible for the violence, intimidation and fear.

He couldn’t say how many cases it would be investigating as the extortion files were constantly being updated and triaged through the new task force.

With files from The Canadian Press