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Suspects charged for fatal Hells Angel shooting in Surrey as police prepare for retaliation

Click to play video: 'Charges laid in killing of Hells Angel member in Surrey'
Charges laid in killing of Hells Angel member in Surrey
WATCH: The assassination of a high profile Hells Angel member in a South Surrey drive-thru stands out for many in the community, because two suspects were quickly identified and arrested. Julia Foy reports – Aug 3, 2019

Two men are facing first-degree murder charges for the shooting death of a prominent Hells Angels member in South Surrey Friday.

In a statement issued late Saturday night, Surrey RCMP confirm 20-year-old Calvin Powery-Hooker and 21-year-old Nathan De Jong have each been charged with first-degree murder for the shooting death of 43-year-old Suminder Grewal.

De Jong and Powery-Hooker appeared in court Saturday to officially face the charges connected to the killing. The statement says that “investigators are firm in their belief that this was a targeted incident.”

WATCH: (Aug. 2, 2019) Surrey shooting victim identified as Hells Angel

Click to play video: 'Hells Angel identified as Surrey shooting victim'
Hells Angel identified as Surrey shooting victim

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) officially identified Grewal as the victim of the shooting Friday, more than 12 hours after he was killed in a drive-thru at the Southpoint Exchange mall on 152 Street.

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Grewal was waiting in the drive-thru shared between a Starbucks and an Envision Financial branch just before 9:30 a.m. when he was shot.

At least one witness said he saw a Hells Angels sticker on the vehicle.

Acting on a tip from the public, RCMP arrested the two suspects earlier seen speeding away from the scene in another vehicle, and then on foot.

The suspects reportedly blew a tire in their attempt to flee, while IHIT said police dogs helped take the men down.

WATCH: (Aug. 2, 2019) Hells Angel killed in South Surrey shooting

Click to play video: 'Hells Angel killed in South Surrey shooting'
Hells Angel killed in South Surrey shooting

Police won’t yet say whether De Jong or Powery-Hooker have any official gang affiliations, though they are known to police. Both remain in custody, and are to appear before a judge in B.C. Provincial Court on August 6.

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The killing follows the murder of Hells Angel Chad Wilson back in November 2018. Wilson’s body was found under the Golden Ears Bridge.

Wilson’s funeral a month later was attended by hundreds of Hells Angels members, some of whom flew to Canada from Europe to pay their respects.

IHIT said the Lower Mainland’s anti-gang police forces are ready for any possible retaliation from Hells Angels after the loss of another well-established member.

“Obviously we don’t want any ongoing violence, but we will certainly be prepared for that,” Sgt. Frank Jang said Friday night.

“We’re going to be looking into everything. We’ll be engaging with CFSEU (Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit), the main gang enforcement agency in B.C., as well as the Surrey Gang Enforcement team and others.”

WATCH: (Aug. 2, 2019) One man killed in Surrey shooting; two suspects arrested

Click to play video: 'One man killed in Surrey shooting; two suspects arrested'
One man killed in Surrey shooting; two suspects arrested

Jang said it’s too soon to determine an exact motive for the shooting, but praised Surrey RCMP for their quick actions leading to the suspects’ arrests.

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“They threw themselves in there and they got the job done,” he said. “So if their actions are any indication, I think police are taking public safety in their community very seriously.”

WATCH: (March 31, 2017) Notorious bikers establish new B.C. chapter

Click to play video: 'Notorious bikers establish new B.C. chapter'
Notorious bikers establish new B.C. chapter

IHIT is now asking for more witnesses to come forward and share any information they have that may be helpful to the investigation, including dashcam footage from drivers travelling near the shooting scene at the time.

Investigators are also looking to speak to anyone who may have had contact with De Jong or Powery-Hooker.

—With files from Simon Little

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