Victims in Surrey double homicide were teens not known to police: IHIT

Investigators were in the Campbell Heights area of Surrey following a double homicide.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) said two teenagers, aged 16 and 17, were the victims. They were not known to police.

Cpl. Frank Jang said IHIT believes “this was a targeted incident and we are working to determine the motive behind it.”

WATCH: IHIT investigates a shocking double homicide in Surrey

2:24 IHIT investigates shocking double homicide

Surrey RCMP received a report of two bodies found by the side of the road with gunshot wounds in the 18700-block of 40 Ave. at around 10:30 p.m. Monday.

Around the same time, crews were called to the area of 14 St. and 29A Ave. for a vehicle fire.

Later that night, Surrey RCMP received a report of another vehicle fire in the area of 177 Street and 93 Ave.

On Tuesday morning, IHIT identified the victims as 17-year-old Jaskaran “Jesse” Bhangal and 16-year-old Jaskarn “Jason” Jhutty.

They were in Grades 10 and 11, and both in the Surrey School District.

Jang said it’s “too early to make any kind of conclusive links with their deaths and any gangs or drug activity.”

RCMP have closed a stretch of 40 Ave. between 184 and 192 streets.

Anyone with information about the incidents is asked to contact IHIT.

Kal Dosanjh is the founder of Kids Play, an organization that works to keep young people from gang life.

He said more people — especially parents — need to play an active role to ensure kids and teens stay away from violence and drugs.

WATCH: BC Place hosts ‘Kids Play’ to keep children safe

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Meanwhile, Surrey Mayor Linda Hepner says she’s “devastated” and says she’s anxious to see what the investigation reveals.

Hepner says this is a good opportunity for parents to have discussions with their kids about the dangers of connecting with the wrong people.

“I hope those conversations are happening in homes right across this province without the necessity of losing young lives.”

~With files from Janet Brown