SURREY, B.C. – The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) has identified two teenage victims killed in what police describe as a targeted shooting linked to the B.C. gang conflict. The incident, which occurred late Sunday night, has ignited a political firestorm regarding the city's specialized gang enforcement resources.
The Incident
At approximately 10:02 p.m. on Sunday, May 10, Surrey Police Service (SPS) frontline officers were called to an underground parking lot in the 7000-block of 133B Street. Upon arrival, they discovered two males suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite life-saving efforts by officers and paramedics, both victims died at the scene.
On Monday, IHIT spokesperson Sgt. Freda Fong identified the deceased as an 18-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy, both residents of Surrey. While investigators noted the victims were young, they confirmed the pair had "previous interactions with police" and believe the shooting is tied to organized crime.
Investigation Details
Shortly after the shooting, emergency crews discovered a burned grey four-door sedan near 144 Street and 84 Avenue. IHIT investigators believe this vehicle was used by the suspects—described as "two or more" individuals—who fled the scene.
"This shooting has left two families grieving the loss of young lives taken far too soon," Sgt. Fong said in a statement, adding that extensive work is underway to hold those responsible accountable. No arrests have been made.
Political Fallout
The double homicide was the second shooting in Surrey on Sunday, following an early morning incident at a gas station near 72nd Avenue and 152 Street that left two men in critical condition. In a third unrelated incident on May 4, a man in his 30s was shot dead at a business in Newton.
Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke issued a scathing statement on Monday, expressing "outrage" at the violence and criticizing the recent decision by the Surrey Police Service to redeploy members of its specialized gang unit.
“Surrey has always invested heavily in anti-gang messaging and fully staffed a specialist gang unit. This was recently discontinued by the chief of police,” Locke stated. She confirmed she has written to the Surrey Police Board calling for an immediate review of the decision.
In response, SPS Chief Constable Norm Lipinski defended the move, explaining that the eight-person Gang Enforcement Unit was temporarily "repurposed" to address a citywide surge in extortion cases. Lipinski stated that the unit is expected to return to regular duties in mid-June and that some members remain engaged in gang-related policing despite the redeployment.
Public Assistance Requested
IHIT continues to work with the victims' families to establish a timeline of their activities. Authorities are asking anyone with dashcam footage or information regarding the 7000-block of 133B Street or the area of the burned vehicle between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. on May 10 to contact the IHIT Information Line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448).