Man found dead after Surrey house fire was suspected gang member, IHIT confirms

From Jan. 12: A man was found dead inside a burning home in Surrey, B.C., on Monday morning.

Homicide investigators are publicly confirming the identity of the man found dead after a house fire in Surrey earlier this week.

Naseem Mohammed was “known to police and believed to be associated” with the B.C. gang conflict, the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team said in a brief update Wednesday.

The 27-year-old was found dead after a house fire on 56 Avenue near 127 Street Monday morning.

The death was considered suspicious, and IHIT took over the investigation.

On Tuesday, the unit confirmed the killing was believed to be gang-related and asked the public for surveillance and dash cam video from the scene of the blaze, as well as from the scene of a vehicle fire reported hours later in South Surrey.

At the time, police said they were still working to identify the victim and “understand the totality of the circumstances of the death,” including how the man died and how the fire started.

IHIT shared a photo of Mohammed with its release. It’s the same photo Surrey RCMP released in 2020 and again in 2021 when Mohammed was wanted on outstanding warrants.

In July 2020, Mounties said they were seeking him for being unlawfully at large, resisting or obstructing police, breaching a release order and driving while prohibited.

Less than a year later, in May 2021, police issued another appeal for information on his whereabouts, citing warrants for the same offences.

Mohammed was allegedly a member of the Brothers Keepers gang, Surrey RCMP said in the May 2021 statement, describing him as having “a history of involvement with drug trafficking.

“Mohammed has also been a target of violence in the past,” police said at the time, warning that people who associated with him could be at risk.

“Do not approach or try to apprehend Naseem Mohammed as he is considered to be armed and dangerous,” Mounties said at the time.

IHIT says its investigation into Mohammed’s death is “active and ongoing,” and it reminds witnesses to call 877-551-4448 or email [e-mail] to share what they know.