Two men have died after a public shooting in Whistler, B.C.
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has identified the victims as Meninder Dhaliwal and Satindera Gill in an effort to advance the investigation.
According to IHIT, both were known to police and the targeted shooting is believed to be related to the ongoing Lower Mainland Gang Conflict.
One man died at the scene, outside an upscale hotel in Whistler Village, while the other succumbed to his injuries a short time after the shooting, officials said.
“At about 12:20 this afternoon, members of Whistler RCMP received complaints of shots fired,” Insp. Robert Dykstra said.
“When they arrived they found two males on the ground.”
Two suspects, both men, were later arrested in Squamish in connection to the double-fatal shooting.
A torched vehicle found in a residential area of Whistler shortly after the shooting is also being treated as part of the investigation, Whistler RCMP said.
A heavy police presence was seen Sunday afternoon in Whistler, B.C. on Sundial Crescent, outside of two hotels, the Sundial Hotel and the Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre.
The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit BC has said IHIT has taken over the investigation, looking into the incident.
“CFSEU-BC will be supporting them, however they need…as information comes to light,” said Staff Sgt. Lindsey Houghton, a CFSEU officer.
The Resort Municipality of Whistler sent out an email and text alert to residents.
“A police investigation is underway in the Village. Please avoid the delineated area in skier’s plaza. There is no danger to the public,” the alert reads. “Lifts currently on standby.”
A Whistler ski-store employee heard the gunshots from his storefront.
“I didn’t see (the shooting) but I was out front of our shop, about a block and a half away,” said Fanatyk Co’s Scott Cargo.
“I heard gunfire and a ten-year-old kid came running down and said, ‘there is somebody shooting over there’.”
Cargo then went into the store and locked the door.
He said he told all the store’s customers to stay away from the windows.
IHIT is asking anyone who was in the area of Sundial Crescent or Blueberry Drive, where the burning vehicle was located, between 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. with dash camera footage to come forward.