Police cite extortion in third shooting at Indian star Kapil Sharma's B.C. café

Mike Grieve says he walks past Kap's Cafe in Surrey, B.C., every day and he’s sad to see the restaurant owned by Indian entertainer Kapil Sharma has been shot up for the third time.   

Yellow police tape surrounded the eatery on Thursday, with several front windows shattered and bullet holes peppering others. 

Officers could be seen inside, while a small group of children in yellow safety jackets were being guided by caregivers into a daycare across the street.

A video that appears to depict Thursday's pre-dawn attack, filmed from the point of view of the shooter, has been widely shared on social media.

While people claiming to be associated with India's Lawrence Bishnoi gang claimed responsibility, Surrey police urged caution about taking that at face value.

Standing outside the café, Grieve said he felt badly for the owner who only wanted to give back to the community.

"The poor guy doesn't deserve to have his business ambushed. His insurance costs will go up again because of this," he said. "I've never been in his establishment, but, you know, it seems like a fairly nice place to go."

He said he's thankful the shooting didn't take place in daytime, with the daycare across the street.

The Surrey Police Service said its officers responded to the shooting just before 4 a.m.

There were staff inside the café at the time, but no one was injured, police said. 

Police spokesman Ian MacDonald said the shooting appeared "related to extortion," given that the same business had been targeted three times in very similar ways. 

The other attacks took place in July and August, and police said no suspects were identified.

It is among a long string of shootings, arsons and extortion threats aimed at the South Asian community in recent months. Three police departments, the RCMP, Surrey and Abbotsford, have launched special squads to investigate dozens of cases. 

Police recently announced charges against five men. 

Officers have also linked some of the threats to the Lawrence Bishnoi criminal group, which was recently listed as a terrorist entity in Canada. 

MacDonald said police were aware of the short video that shows someone shooting at the restaurant at least 10 times through the open window of a vehicle.

He said they're also aware of people claiming to be associated to the gang taking responsibility. 

"I want to emphasize that from a policing standpoint, we have to gather objective evidence, and so just because somebody claims responsibility that doesn't that doesn't mean that we conclude that that must be the case," said MacDonald. 

He noted two different gangs claimed responsibility for the same shooting a few months ago, which was impossible. 

"So, what I would suggest is, sometimes these posts are taking place. Oftentimes, they're taking place offshore or specifically online, but that doesn't mean that the person claiming responsibility is ultimately responsible," said MacDonald. 

Brown Blendz Barbershop, next door to Kap's Cafe, was busy with customers on Thursday. 

While shaving a customer's head, Barber Aman Singh said these types of shooting are becoming "a new normal" in the city. 

There was no thought of closing shop for the day, and all they can do is "carry on" with life, he said. 

Two other barbers in the shop said people who work at the café are "very friendly" neighbours, and often bring them treats and coffee. 

Singh said the coffee is great, but he's never met the star and owner Kapil Sharma.

B.C. Conservative legislator Harman Bhangu, whose riding neighbours Surrey, reposted the video of the shooting on social media. 

"Enough is enough, these gang-linked thugs are turning our communities into war zones while families live in fear. This is not India’s gangland this is British Columbia and it is time to put an end to this thug culture once and for all," Bhangu wrote on X. 

Grieve said he had also seen the video and police needed to crack down on shootings harder. 

"They need to put a little more security cameras in here, especially out here in Surrey, to protect people of Surrey, businesses of Surrey," said Grieve. 

Nina Krieger, B.C.’s minister of public safety and solicitor general, said in a statement that gun violence has no place in B.C., and she is "deeply concerned by the senseless act of violence" at Kap's Cafe. 

"We condemn any acts of intimidation, extortion or organized crime that put British Columbians at risk," said Krieger. 

Krieger said the provincial government launched the BC Extortion Task Force to fight organized crime and extortion threats. 

“To all those who may have information about criminal activity, we strongly encourage you to call police or call Crime Stoppers," said Krieger. 

The federal government listed the Bishnoi gang as a terrorist entity last month. RCMP and police agencies across the province have linked the gang to extortion threats in South Asian communities in the province, particularly in Surrey.

MacDonald said that as of Wednesday, Surrey police were investigating 65 extortions and 35 shots fired in relation to extortions in Surrey this year. 

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck