SURREY, B.C. — Six people have been arrested and face firearms charges that the RCMP says are linked to a spate of shootings in Surrey, B.C., over the last five months.
All six males, including a teenager who can't be named, were taken into custody on Friday.
They are:
Baltej Singh Gill, age 18
Himmat Singh Virk, age 18
Randeep Singh Johal, age 18
Manpreet Michael Johal, age 24
A/Commr Fordy announces arrests of individuals involved in conflict that has resulted in violence on our streets. pic.twitter.com/K4xtwR7oGX
— Surrey RCMP (@SurreyRCMP) August 8, 2016
The Mounties say the teenager faces four counts of reckless discharge of a firearm, while two 18-year-olds face single counts of the same charge.
An 18 and 24-year-old are accused of two counts of reckless discharge of a firearm and RCMP assistant commissioner Bill Fordy says the Crown is reviewing evidence against the sixth person.
Together with @cfseubc & @LMDRCMP ERT, the Surrey RCMP arrested 6 males this weekend involved in conflict on our streets.
— Surrey RCMP (@SurreyRCMP) August 8, 2016
He says the suspects were tracked after police learned of an plan for a drive-by shooting and intervened before any violence occurred.
Fordy says more charges could be laid and the shootings are not linked to a gang war but are the result of alleged low level drug activity.
Since March, 30+ arrests have been made and 15 firearms, and thousands of rounds of various ammunition, body armour, have been seized.
— Surrey RCMP (@SurreyRCMP) August 8, 2016
"Since March we have made 30 arrests, we have seized 15 firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition that we believe are related to the shootings and other criminal activity associated to the shootings," he said at a news conference on Monday.
“We believe the arrest of these individuals prevented further violence from playing out on our streets,” Fordy said.
A Young Offender is co-accused in these matters and cannot be named due to his age at the time of the offences.
— Surrey RCMP (@SurreyRCMP) August 8, 2016
“We’re not interested in moving this particular violence to another city. We want to advance prosecutions against those involved.”
Gill had been previously arrested and charged with four firearms-related offences and the young offender, who was also previously arrested on four firearms related charges, is co-accused in these incidents and cannot be named due to his age at the time of the offences.
“I believe that the arrest of these individuals has prevented further violence from occurring in our city,” Fordy said.
The following individuals have been charged: Baltej Gill, Himmat Virk, Randeep Johal, Manpreet Michael Johal. pic.twitter.com/TSaqKvzIFi
— Surrey RCMP (@SurreyRCMP) August 8, 2016
“Public safety remains our priority and we are fully committed to not only disrupting violent activity, but conducting in-depth investigations that can assist in the advancement of prosecutions.”
Fordy says the arrests have prevented further violence from playing out on Surrey's streets.
Surrey Mayor Linda Hepner thanked locals for their patience as bullets fly in their neighbourhoods.
“It is with a heavy heart that I say we are here again but it is with a joyful heart that I’m saying we’ve made some significant progress.”
Surrey Mayor Linda Hepner added that she hopes the courts come down hard on anyone found guilty of a gun crime.
