Surrey: Canadian authorities have arrested a 27-year-old man originally from Punjab in connection with a shooting incident in Surrey that investigators say may be tied to a growing wave of extortion-related violence targeting the South Asian community.
The accused, identified as Jaskaran Saroye, was taken into custody by the Surrey Police Service’s Extortion Response Team after officers carried out a search operation at a residence in Surrey.
According to investigators, the firing incident occurred around 3 am on April 13 near the intersection of 94A Avenue and 127 Street. Bullets struck a house that was occupied at the time, damaging the property. However, no one inside the residence was hurt.
Police said the investigation progressed after officers traced a vehicle believed to be connected to the case. Acting on gathered evidence, authorities secured a warrant and arrested the suspect with support from the Lower Mainland District Emergency Response Team along with several specialised Surrey Police units.
Saroye has been charged with discharging a firearm into a building while being aware, or showing disregard to the possibility, that people were inside. Officials confirmed he remains behind bars while awaiting a bail hearing.
Surrey Police Chief Constable Norm Lipinski described the case as a grave public safety matter, stating that shootings involving occupied homes create fear within neighbourhoods and endanger innocent residents.
Investigators have also released the accused’s photograph publicly, hoping it may encourage witnesses or members of the public to come forward with information related to criminal groups allegedly involved in extortion activities.
In recent years, Surrey and nearby areas in British Columbia have witnessed an increase in threats, shootings and intimidation cases reportedly connected to extortion networks. Many incidents have primarily affected business owners and members of the South Asian community, especially people of Indian origin.
