Surrey police investigating early morning extortion-related shooting

Surrey police’s dedicated extortion team has taken over the file and remained at the scene Wednesday morning to investigate.

“Although this incident is in the early stages of investigation, the motivation for the shooting is believed to be extortion,” police said in a statement.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact investigators at 604-599-0502 and cite File No. 26-38195 (SP). Those who wish to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Earlier this month, Surrey Police Chief Norm Lipinski said there had been a “meaningful decline” in extortion threats and related incidents in the first three months of the year.

Extortion threats have dropped from 44 in January to 17 in February and 14 in March, he said in a video posted on X on Friday, while shots-fired incidents have gone from 10 in January to one in February and three in March.

Extortion threats have been a continuing concern in recent years, particularly in the South Asian business community where businesses and homes have been targeted in shooting incidents.

A number of task forces have been established at the municipal, provincial and federal levels to probe the shootings and threats, while the City of Surrey has put up $250,000 for resources to fight extortion crime in the city.

A dedicated tip line is also available at 236-485-5149 for those wanting to report extortions, or who may have info that can assist in investigations.

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