SURREY, B.C. -- The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team was in Surrey Sunday night after a targeted shooting in the Fleetwood area.
RCMP were called to the Shoppers Drug Mart on Fraser Highway and 152 Street at about 7:40 p.m.
When they arrived, they found a man suffering from critical gunshot wounds.
Paramedics tried to save him, but his injuries were too severe and he died at the scene.
His body was covered with a tarp outside the store until homicide investigators arrived.
Homicide investigators have since identified the victim as 29-year-old Riyad Rasheed. They believe the shooting is connected to ongoing Lower Mainland gang conflict.
Horrified shoppers were interviewed by police just steps away.
The drug store and several other businesses were open when the gunfire rang out, but fortunately no bystanders were hurt.
"It was a brazen shooting," IHIT's Sgt. Frank Jang said in a news conference Monday. "The perpetrators of this violence need to be caught, need to be held to account."
Forensic investigators and an RCMP dog team locked down a large area of the complex to look for evidence.
A black SUV with its door still open could be seen behind the police tape, with full grocery bags placed on the ground beside it.
Part of Fraser Highway was closed for several hours, but reopened in time for the morning commute.
The BC Coroner Service arrived at the crime scene at about 2 a.m. to remove the body.
Several of the victim’s family members watched from behind police tape.
They huddled in a group together trying to comfort each other, their sobs echoing in the parking lot.
One woman was so inconsolable, she chased after the coroner’s van as it drove off.
Jang said a dark-coloured sedan was discovered on fire in Richmond near Cambie and No. 7 roads at about 9 p.m. after the shooting. Investigators believe the vehicle was used by the suspects and are asking for anyone with dash cam footage from the area to contact them.
Homicide investigators are also asking anyone who may have witnessed this shooting or has video surveillance or dash cam video to call the IHIT information line at 1-877-551-4448 or email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
