Calgary police say they’re investigating three recent homicides that have happened in the city’s Indo Canadian community as possibly being connected.
Investigators identified a 23-year-old Calgary man as the victim of a deadly shooting in the community of Taradale on Tuesday night.
The man was found suffering from a gunshot wound in a car that had crashed into a parked vehicle in the 200 block of Taracove Road N.E. just before midnight. Police said he died at the scene.
WATCH: Calgary Police Staff Sgt. Colin Chisholm discusses the investigation in three homicides that police say might be related.
An autopsy determined Rishabh Saini was the victim of the attack, which police believe was targeted.
In a Friday news release, the Calgary Police Service said investigators are exploring the possibility that Saini’s death is related to the homicides of 25-year-old Jasdeep Singh and 22-year-old Japneet Malhi, who were shot in the parking lot of a northeast restaurant on April 3 – and the death of 49-year-old Bikramjit Dhindsa, who was found dead in a Hamptons home on Sunday, May 12.
“These are three homicides that have occurred within the Indo Canadian community here in Calgary,” Staff Sgt. Colin Chisholm said. “We would be remiss if we weren’t looking at the possibility that they were linked.”
Chisolm said investigators aren’t thinking the deaths were gang-related, but said they’re “open to the possibility that… drugs and organized crime are involved.”
“We need people to come forward, people who have information, so we can help piece each homicide together and determine whether or not these homicides are linked or not,” he said.
WATCH: Calgary police ask for information into 3 homicide cases that might be related.
Chisolm said the apparent increase in gun violence has police concerned for public safety as a whole.
“These type of incidents, especially the first and the third ones, are out in public,” Chisolm said. “The possibility that somebody else may be hurt is a real possibility and that’s why we’re wanting people to come forward.
He said investigators have done thorough neighbourhood inquiries and canvassed for surveillance video as well.
Anyone with information is asked to call CPS at 403-266-1234 or the homicide tip line at 403-428-8877, or to contact Crime Stoppers.