The young man gunned down last weekend in Surrey wasn’t a criminal or a gangster, his grieving family said Tuesday.
Arun Paul Singh Bains, the 22-year-old nephew of MLA Harry Bains, was killed early Sunday morning in the 22nd shooting committed in Surrey and Delta in recent weeks.
The RCMP said Bains knew people involved in a bloody drug turf war being waged in the area, but investigators haven’t tied him directly to any criminal activity.
In their first public statement since Bains’ death, his family insisted there are no ties to find.
“Arun was the heart of our family. We are still trying to accept the reality that our son, brother, cousin, and nephew is gone,” they said.
“He was not a gang member. He was loved by everyone who knew him.”
The family said they are supporting community efforts to curb the recent rash of violence in Surrey and Delta, in the hopes of sparing anyone else from having to experience their pain.
“We strongly urge anyone with information about this incident or any criminal activity to contact police immediately,” they said.
On Tuesday evening, the public has been invited to discuss the shootings at a community forum at Tamanawis Secondary School in Surrey.
The forum, which kicks off at 7 p.m., is being hosted by the city, the RCMP, the school district, and B.C.’s anti-gang task force the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit.
