British Columbia

Surrey shootings: fearful community after complaint of 44 shootings in 2015

A man turned up in hospital with a gunshot wound early Saturday morning. This after dozens of shootings in 2015 and an active hunt for suspects in a recent shooting at an elementary school.

More bullets fired in Surrey in the wake of what critics are calling a 'crisis of public safety.'

A man with a gunshot wound was dropped off at a hospital according too Surrey RCMP, early Sept. 26. (Shane MacKichan)

A 36-year-old is recovering from a "targeted" gunshot wound after being dropped off at Surrey Memorial Hospital with an injury.

Surrey RCMP said the man was dropped off at the emergency department around 3 a.m. PT after a bullet hit his "lower extremities."

"...initial indications are that this incident is targeted and involves parties known to each other," Staff Sgt. Joe Johal said in a press release, adding that the man shot is "well known" to police.

The hospital was surrounded by police cruisers and taped off, as the shooting victim was transferred to Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster for treatment early Saturday morning.

This shooting comes in the wake of a hunt for two 21-year-old men in connection with a school shooting.

Surrey RCMP have issued arrest warrents for Shakiel Basra and Amarpreet Samra in connection with a shooting at an elementary school in September.

Shakiel Basra (L) and Amarpreet Samra (both 21) are wanted in connection with a shooting at a Surrey elementary school in September. (RCMP)

The pair are charged with four counts, including attempt to commit murder, over the incident at Strawberry Hill Elementary, which left another man injured.

Basra and Samra are believed to have connections in B.C., Alberta and Saskatchewan, and may be driving a light-coloured jeep with Saskatchewan plates, 685 JUD.

The public is advised to call 911 immediately if they spot either of the men, but should not approach them, police said.

Surrey has been the scene of a violent turf war between rival gangs since early this year, and police have expressed frustration over a lack of co-operation from shooting victims — often gang members themselves — which has made investigating the crimes difficult.

Yesterday, Chief Supt. Bill Fordy appealed to those who know the suspects to "do the honourable thing, the brave thing," and call the police.

On Sept. 23 Premier Christy Clark was sent a letter by a group of New Democratic Party members, including Leader John Horgan, calling for action in the "crisis of public safety" in Surrey, claiming more than 44 shooting incidents and three murders have been reported in 2015.