Surrey minor hockey coach killed in fatal shooting

The victim of a fatal Surrey shooting on Saturday has been identified as Paul Bennett, a nurse and minor hockey coach from Surrey.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) said the death of the 47-year-old father of two “was not a random incident.”

“We are releasing Mr. Bennett’s name in an effort to determine his activities and who he may have had contact with leading up to the shooting,”  Cpl. Frank Jang of IHIT said.

Friends said Bennett, who was originally from Bath, Ontario, worked as an OR nurse and coached a team with the Cloverdale Minor Hockey Association (CMHA).

“A beloved member of our family has been taken from us, a husband, a father, a brother, a friend and a coach,” the association said in a statement.

“Paul Bennett devoted much of the past number of years investing in the lives of the young boys and girls of CMHA.”

His Facebook page identifies him as being from Bath, Ontario.

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On Sunday, Fraser Health also released a statement saying staff at the Peace Arch Hospital were “shocked and deeply saddened” by Bennett’s death.

“The circumstances of his passing are incredibly tragic, and our thoughts are with his family at this time,” reads the statement.

“He was a passionate advocate for patients and patient care.”

IHIT said the shooting took place in the 18200-block of 67A Ave on Saturday afternoon.

Witnesses told Global News that they heard about six gunshots.

CMHA President Marty Jones remembers Bennett as a popular and successful coach with a passion for working with kids.

“He was a perfect blend of pushing the kids in the right way, but was extremely patient,” Jones said. “There was lots of laughter on the ice. He just radiated that love for the game.

“He was one of those guys who had time for everybody.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the IHIT information line at 1-877-551- IHIT (4448), or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.

Should you wish to remain anonymous, please contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

— With files from Simon Little