The Surrey Police Service (SPS) has reported that a victim who was critically injured and sent to the hospital after gunshots were fired at a residence on Sunday is believed to be the first case of extortion-related injury in the city this year, amid a rise in such criminal activities.
The shooting occurred around 3 a.m. PT on Sunday at a residence in the 13000 block of 103-A Avenue. According to Staff Sgt. Lindsey Houghton, a vehicle approached the house, and shots were fired at the building before the vehicle and its occupants fled the scene.
Multiple individuals were present inside the residence during the shooting, as confirmed by Houghton. The victim, a woman in her mid-20s, was struck by a bullet while she was asleep in the house. Emergency responders administered life-saving treatment before she was taken to the hospital in critical condition, but her status was later updated to stable.
“I believe this is the first injury linked to an extortion-related shooting incident in 2025,” stated Houghton. The SPS has recorded 56 reported extortion-related cases and 31 associated shootings in the city this year.
The police have highlighted that individuals or businesses in predominantly South Asian communities are being targeted with threatening demands for money through letters, phone calls, text messages, or social media. Houghton emphasized the unacceptability of the violence and the ongoing efforts to prevent further incidents and identify the perpetrators.
Surrey Chief Const. Norm Lipinski described the injury from the recent extortion case as an unfortunate event but mentioned positive progress after six months of police work, noting a decreasing trend in extortion cases despite the persistent threat posed by firearms. Lipinski reaffirmed that apprehending those responsible for extortion remains a top priority for the Surrey Police Service.
No arrests or suspects have been announced in the latest case. In a separate development, the SPS has charged seven men in three distinct extortion-related cases. To aid law enforcement in solving these crimes, Surrey has established an extortion tip line and a $250,000 reward fund for individuals providing information leading to convictions in extortion cases.
The SPS emphasized that the reward fund is among the largest in Canadian policing history and aims to incentivize individuals to come forward with pertinent information about extortions and the individuals involved. The city stressed the importance of creating a safe environment free from fear and urged anyone with information to assist before further harm occurs.
Premier David Eby, speaking at an unrelated news conference, condemned the violence as completely unacceptable and emphasized collaborative efforts between the province and various government agencies to address the escalating extortion cases, particularly in areas like Surrey. Eby urged community members to continue sharing information and evidence, such as doorbell camera footage and dash-cam recordings, to support law enforcement efforts in combating these criminal activities.
