2 teens killed in targeted shooting in Surrey
Male victims, aged 16 and 17, were not known to police
Two teenagers were killed in a targeted shooting Monday night in Surrey, homicide investigators have confirmed.
The victims have been identified as Jaskarn (Jason) Singh Jhutty, 16, and Jaskaran (Jesse) Singh Bhangal, 17, both residents of Surrey.
The two teens were found dead on a section of 188th Street near 40th Avenue in the Campbell Heights neighbourhood around 10:30 p.m. PT.
Both had been shot and police believe they were targeted killings, according to Cpl. Frank Jang of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team
The teens were not known to police and investigators are looking into the backgrounds of both.
"They had friends. They had family in the community. They are devastated by the deaths," said Jang.
'My heart just broke'
Both students had attended Frank Hurt Secondary in Surrey at some point, according to their classmates, and grief counsellors were brought in to provide support to students, teachers and parents.
Many students learned of the deaths in class, gathering in the library to grieve together. Others left school early.
Grade 11 student Raynal Prasad went to elementary school with Jesse.
"From when I knew Jesse, he was a really good guy. He was always nice to everybody. Same with Jason. He'd always work really hard in school, and help everyone out when he was here. They were really good people."
Roy Dewar, whose 16-year-old son goes to the school, said it was not right for kids to see a friend shot or killed.
"My heart just broke," Dewar said. "Kids shouldn't be killing kids. Kids shouldn't be dying."
"You just see these things and ... it's really different when it's people that you know, people in your school, people in your life," Prasad said.
Burned-out cars
Police also found two burned-out cars that may have been linked to the killings.
Earlier at 9:46 p.m., the Surrey RCMP was alerted to a burning vehicle in the area of 184 Street and 29A Avenue, said Jang.
At 11 p.m., the Surrey RCMP received a call of a second burning vehicle in the area of 177 Street and 93 Avenue. That vehicle was a Honda Accord.
"We believe there are people who have information about what happened to Jaskarn and Jaskaran last night," said Jang.
"Please reach out and speak with IHIT so that we can hold those responsible to account."
Police are asking anyone with information to call the IHIT information line at 1-877-551-4448, or email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
Anyone who wishes to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
With files from Jesse Johnson and Tina Lovgreen