Advertisement

Man killed after altercation in Surrey neighbourhood, homicide investigators say

Click to play video: 'Early morning homicide in Surrey alarms Clayton Heights residents'
Early morning homicide in Surrey alarms Clayton Heights residents
A man was murdered outside a coffee shop early Saturday morning, and while police say it's unrelated to recent gang violence, that's doing little to reassure frayed nerves in the community. Jill Bennett reports – Oct 12, 2019

A man was killed in Surrey early Saturday morning after an altercation with another man who is now in custody, homicide investigators say.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) said the incident happened around 4:40 a.m. in the 18300-block of Fraser Highway.

Surrey RCMP said the victim, a 47-year-old man, was found in medical distress outside a coffee shop next to a gas station, but died at the scene despite life-saving measures.

Neighbours say the man lived with his girlfriend in the basement under the coffee shop, and were woken up by a commotion around the time the incident occurred.

“I got woken up from yelling and screaming, because I could hear it through my bedroom window,” a man who only gave his first name of Martin said.

Story continues below advertisement
“I heard some banging, came back out and that’s when I saw [the victim] on the ground. The ambulance showed up and they were pumping on him for awhile.”

A second man of unknown age was arrested and remains in police custody, IHIT said.

The cause of death has not been released.

Story continues below advertisement

Investigators believe the two men knew each other and there is no risk to public safety.

The incident also does not appear to be related to any ongoing gang violence, IHIT added.

But neighbours are still concerned, pointing to a targeted shooting that took place exactly two weeks ago — just blocks away outside another gas station on the highway.

“Twice inside a month, you’ve got two people dead,” Martin said. “It’s scary.”

Investigators are now combing the scene for evidence and speaking with potential witnesses.

Surrey RCMP have forwarded all questions to IHIT.

Anyone with information helpful to the investigation is asked to contact IHIT or Crime Stoppers.

—With files from Jill Bennett

Click to play video: 'Surrey RCMP top cop blasts critics'
Surrey RCMP top cop blasts critics

Sponsored content

AdChoices