One dead, one wounded in latest Surrey shooting

Surrey field hockey supporters are morning the loss of Surinderpal Singh Hehar, who was gunned down early Saturday near 152nd and 66 Avenue.

Hehar, a longshoreman who was a popular member of the Surrey Field Hockey Club, was inside a vehicle that was targeted by gunfire. A second man was wounded in the shooting.

The field hockey club confirmed on its Facebook page that Hehar was the victim.

“It is with profound grief, sorrow, and disbelief, that we announce the passing away of a great friend, a brother, a mentor and member of our club, Surinderpal Singh Hehar, earlier today,” the post said. “We, his friends, family members, his hockey fraternity, are all in a state of shock and disbelief at this.”

“In this moment of shock, we miss his ever smiling presence, but we, at Surrey Field Hockey Club and Surrey Lions, pledge that he lives with us and within us, that his legacy in our sport shall carry on, that we shall be guided by his principles of brotherhood. We pledge today, that though we may miss him, but the hockey fraternity and community at large shall not miss the legacy of all the good things that he did for our sport, for we, with his guiding spirit, shall carry on strong!”

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team is investigating the murder.

Surrey RCMP was called to the area just after midnight when residents reported hearing gunshots, Sgt. Stephanie Ashton said in a release.

“Patrol Officers attended the area locating two males in a vehicle suffering from gunshot wounds,” Ashton said.

“One male was unresponsive and despite the efforts of medical professionals, has died as a result of his injuries.  The other male is in hospital being treated for his injuries which are not considered life threatening.”

She said the investigation is in the early stages.

“Investigators believe this to be a targeted shooting however at this point there is no indication this shooting has any connection to any other investigation within the Surrey area,” Ashton said.

“I want to reassure the public that their safety is of paramount concern.  IHIT investigators, Surrey RCMP and other Lower Mainland investigative units are working to determine the circumstances that led up to this incident.”

Anyone with information regarding this investigation can call the IHIT tipline by calling 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or email at ihittipline@rcmp-grc.gc.ca .

I am hearing the dead man is older and that this is not related to the on-going gang war.

I’ll update the blog when I get new information on this.

NOTE TO READERS:

I was battling the flu after coming back from a few days in the US, which is why I haven’t opened comments until now. Sorry about that.