Ottawa
Three Indian nationals have been arrested in Canada after shots were fired outside a residence in Surrey, British Columbia, during an anti-extortion patrol, police said.
The accused have been identified as Harjot Singh (21), Taranveer Singh (19) and Dayajeet Singh Billing (21). All three have been charged with one count each of discharging a firearm into a place and have been remanded in custody until February 5, according to the Surrey Police Service (SPS).
The incident occurred in the early hours of February 1 in Surrey’s Crescent Beach neighbourhood. Police received reports of gunfire and a small fire outside a home near Crescent Road and 132 Street while officers were conducting patrols under Project Assurance, an initiative aimed at curbing extortion-related violence.
The suspects were arrested a short time later by SPS officers, and the investigation was subsequently handed over to the Major Crime Section. Police said the probe is ongoing and additional charges may be laid.
The Surrey Police Service confirmed that all three accused are foreign nationals and that the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has been notified. Authorities are examining the men’s immigration status, though it remains unclear whether they were in Canada on tourist, student or work permits.
According to media reports, one of the suspects sustained injuries, including two black eyes, during the arrest. Staff Sgt. Lindsey Houghton of the Surrey Police said the injuries occurred after the suspect refused to comply with police instructions and actively resisted while inside a ride-share vehicle.
“As per our training, the individual was taken to the ground and safely handcuffed,” Houghton said, adding that another suspect was also injured after failing to comply with police directions.
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Surrey has witnessed several shootings targeting homes and businesses in recent months, with police noting a noticeable escalation in such incidents since the beginning of the year.