Surrey RCMP ask for help identifying victims of recent shooting
Shooting victims fail to come forward, compromising public safety police say
Surrey RCMP are asking for public help in order to identify two men who were the apparent targets of a June 8 shooting.
RCMP say they are releasing pictures taken from security camera footage because the victims are not cooperating with police.
Police believe they have identified at least one of the victims, but say that person has denied any involvement.
"We were hoping that the victims, at the very least, would have come forward," said Surrey Sgt. Dale Carr.
Police believe the two men had been eating at an Earls restaurant at 72nd Avenue and 120th Street when the shooting occurred.
RCMP say it appears to have been a targeted attack linked to a series of drug-related shootings in Delta and Surrey. They say the victims fled in a blue vehicle before police arrived. No one was injured.
Public interest versus privacy
This is not the first time police have asked for the public's help in its investigation into local gang-war violence. In April, Surrey RCMP released the photographs of 13 people they claim are involved in a gang war.
Police say one of their biggest problems in their investigation into gang-related shootings is the alleged lack of co-operation from the individuals who have been shot.
Civil liberties advocates warn that releasing photographs of those involved in the shootings may put them at risk.
But Surrey RCMP say it's necessary to further their investigation and protect the public.
"Without the cooperation of these two victims it makes our job that much harder in identifying the suspects," said Carr of the June 8 shooting.
"We are doing everything we can to solve these shootings but we need the help of the victims and any witnesses to further the investigation."
Police are asking anyone with information on any of the shootings to call the tip line at 604-915-6566 or to call Crime Stoppers, if they wish to remain anonymous, at 1-800-222-TIPS or www.solvecrime.ca.