Surrey residents are growing increasingly frustrated and concerned following another extortion-related shooting early on Sunday morning.
In a release Sunday, Surrey police said three men were arrested following an early-morning shooting incident in the city’s Crescent Beach neighbourhood.
Police were patrolling the area around Crescent Road and 132 Street at about 3:50 a.m. Feb. 1, when they received reports of gunshots and a small fire outside a residence.
While officers located a suspect vehicle nearby, the occupants of the Range Rover fled on foot.
With assistance from police dog services and officers from Delta, three suspects were taken into custody a short time later near 28 Avenue and 140 Street where they were getting into a rideshare vehicle.
Police say the residence, which was occupied at the time, was damaged by gunfire, but there were no injuries. Surrey Fire Services extinguished the small fire near a fence at the property.
“The residence itself, Surrey Fire Service attended quite quickly and were able to put out the small fire, which was by a small fence outside the property,” Staff Sgt. Lindsey Houghton, told Global News.
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“Officers were able to determine the exterior of the house had, in fact, been hit by gunfire. The house was occupied at the time and fortunately, there were no injuries to anybody.”
The Surrey Police Service Major Crime Section has taken over the investigation.
The three men remain in custody, and no charges have been laid at this stage. Investigators seized two vehicles.
Anyone with information, including CCTV or dash-cam footage, is asked to contact Surrey Police. Tips can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
Speaking on Global News Morning, Surrey community members say they are fed up and will continue to band together to advocate for a safer Surrey, holding another rally on Monday to raise awareness.
Rally organizer Rasinder Kaur said more help is badly needed.
“They are very scared,” she said. “They don’t want to speak up. That’s the reason we are trying to raise our voice. We’re trying to unite again.”
Kaur added that people need a solution now and it is positive that people are being arrested, but more needs to be done.
“We just want the proper system in the community, it is a crime, we need people who are commiting the crime, the government should have to arrest them, charge them and give them the strict punishment.”
Last week, Premier David Eby announced federal support for B.C. police services amid ongoing concerns about extortion-related violence.
After meeting with the federal public safety minister in Ottawa on Wednesday, Eby said Ottawa has committed 20 additional officers and helicopter support to assist police in the province.
He also announced a national summit on the issue, which will be held in B.C.
Eby said police leaders from B.C., Ontario, Alberta and Manitoba, along with national police agencies, will meet within the next two weeks at the Green Timbers facility in Surrey. He said the meeting is intended to improve information-sharing between police forces and ensure all necessary resources are in place.
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