Arun Bains, Surrey homicide victim, was nephew of MLA Harry Bains
Bains is the first fatality out of 23 gang-related shootings in past six weeks
Arun Bains, the victim in the latest shooting in Surrey, B.C., was the nephew of MLA Harry Bains, the B.C. NDP has confirmed.
The 22-year-old, who was known to police, was shot just before 3 a.m. PT Sunday at 126 Street and 88A Avenue in Surrey.
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There have been nearly two dozen shootings in Surrey and Delta since March 9, but this is the first fatality.
"This has to stop before any more lives are lost," said Surrey Mayor Linda Hepner at a news conference on Monday morning.
"I am imploring any who have been involved in these shootings to take a sober look at the grim reality of your actions."
Special shooting tip line set up
Chief Supt. Bill Fordy, the Surrey RCMP officer in charge of the investigation, said he was disappointed to see the violence escalate to a fatality.
He announced a special tip line at a news conference on Monday afternoon — anyone with information about the recent shootings can call 604 915 6566.
He also said police have planned a community forum at Tamanawis High School at 7 p.m. PT on Tuesday.
Victims not co-operating, say police
Investigators have said they're frustrated by the fact that none of the shooting victims are co-operating with police.
Last week, RCMP released the names and pictures of several men they claim are involved in a low-level drug turf war.
The RCMP has not confirmed whether this latest shooting is connected to a recent escalation in violence between gangs in the area, but they did say they believed this was a targeted shooting.
The rival gangs are of Somali and South Asian descent.
With files from Belle Puri and Dan Burritt