BURNABY, British Columbia — Canadian police say the fatal shooting of a 28-year-old Indian-origin man in Burnaby last week appears to be linked to the ongoing gang conflict in British Columbia.
The victim, identified as Dilraj Singh Gill of Vancouver, was shot on January 22 just before 5:30 p.m. Burnaby Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers responded to reports of gunfire near the 3700 block of Canada Way, where they found Gill suffering from life-threatening injuries. Despite efforts to save him, he died at the scene.
In a statement, the Canadian Integrated Homicide Investigation Team said officers later located a vehicle engulfed in flames in the 5000 block of Buxton Street. Investigators are examining whether the burned vehicle is connected to the shooting.
“Shortly after, officers located a vehicle on fire in the 5000 block of Buxton Street. Investigators worked to determine whether there may be any links to the shooting. Based on initial investigative efforts, police believe the shooting may have been a targetted incident,” the statement said.
IHIT identified the victim as “28-year-old Dilraj Singh Gill of Vancouver,” adding that “Mr Gill was known to police, and the shooting appears to have a nexus to the BC Gang conflict.”
Investigators confirmed that the burned vehicle is believed to be connected to the homicide and said efforts are ongoing to gather additional information related to it.
“Homicide investigators are working closely with the Burnaby RCMP, the Lower Mainland District Integrated Forensic Identification Service (IFIS) and the BC Coroners Service to collect evidence and advance the investigation,” said Sergeant Freda Fong of IHIT.
“A shooting, especially in a public place, is extremely troubling, not only for the police but for the entire community. Information from witnesses and those in the area will be crucial in ensuring this investigation advances and to hold those responsible, accountable,” she added.
Police are urging anyone who witnessed the incident or who may have dashcam or CCTV footage from the surrounding area to come forward.
The killing comes amid broader concerns about gang violence in Canada. A recent report noted that authorities face a choice between treating Khalistani extremism and Punjabi-Canadian gang violence as separate issues or acknowledging growing financial and operational links between the two. The report emphasized the importance of stronger border security, enhanced financial intelligence cooperation, and a zero-tolerance approach to money laundering.
Canada is home to one of the world’s largest Sikh diasporas, estimated at nearly eight lakh people. Most are law-abiding citizens who have contributed significantly to the country’s economy and society, while a small violent fringe has, over time, become entangled with transnational organized crime. (Source: IANS)
