Surrey police say an Indian celebrity’s local café twice targeted by gunmen has been hit with bullets once again, in what has become common violence often associated with extortion.
The Surrey Police Service (SPS) said officers responded to the city’s Newton area Thursday where there were reports of Kap’s Cafe, in the 8400 block of 120 Street, being damaged by bullets just before 4 a.m. PT.
“It was also quickly determined that there were staff on site at the time of the shooting but fortunately nobody was injured,” the force said in a news release.
The café is owned by famed Indian comedian and TV host Kapil Sharma.
The SPS has not confirmed whether the incident is connected to extortion, but says it appears to be.
WATCH | Police investigate latest Kap’s Cafe shooting:
Police investigating 3rd shooting at Indian celebrity’s Surrey café
Surrey police are investigating another shooting in the Newton area at Kap’s Cafe, a business owned by Indian celebrity Kapil Sharma that has been shot at twice before. As CBC’s Amelia John reports, police say the shooting has the earmarks of an extortion-related case.
“This has the earmarks of extortion,” SPS spokesperson Ian MacDonald told CBC News, adding that their department and the Provincial Extortion Task Force are already investigating the previous shootings at Kap’s.
The café was first shot at in July, shortly after it opened. It was then struck a second time in August.
MacDonald said police were aware of a short video being shared online showing someone shooting at the café 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 Bishnoi gang taking responsibility for the latest attack.
Police investigate at Surrey’s Kap’s Cafe, which is owned by Indian comedian Kapil Sharma, on Oct. 16, 2025. (Ethan Cairns/CBC)
“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 mean that we conclude that that must be the case,” MacDonald said.
‘A new normal’ in the city
On Thursday morning, yellow police tape surrounded the storefront, with several windows shattered and others showing bullet holes. Officers could be seen working inside while a small group of children in yellow safety jackets were guided by caregivers into a daycare across the street.
Mike Grieve, who walks past Kap’s Cafe every day, says he’s saddened to see the restaurant targeted multiple times.
“The poor guy doesn’t deserve to have his business ambushed. His insurance costs will go up again because of this,” he said, talking about the café’s owner, Sharma, who is one of the most famous comedians and entertainers in India, with more than 45 million followers on Instagram.
Bullet holes are pictured in the windows of Kap’s Cafe, owned by Bollywood celebrity Kapil Sharma, on Aug. 7. (Ethan Cairns/CBC)
“I’ve never been in his establishment, but, you know, it seems like a fairly nice place to go.”
He’s said has thankful the shooting didn’t take place in daytime, with the daycare across the street.
Brown Blendz Barbershop, next door to Kap’s Cafe, was busy with customers on Thursday.
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, he said, and all they can do is “carry on” with life.
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 MLA Harman Bhangu, whose riding neighbours Surrey, reposted a video that appears to show someone firing shots at the building.
WATCH | Charges laid in 3 extortion-related cases:
7 charged in alleged extortion-related cases in Surrey, B.C.
Police in Surrey say seven men have now been charged in 3 separate cases believed to be linked to extortion. As Sohrab Sandhu reports, the charges come as officers look into more shootings across the city.
“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.
“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.
MacDonald said there have been 65 reported extortion-related cases and 35 connected shootings in the city so far this year.
Police say those cases have primarily targeted individuals or businesses in South Asian communities, who are receiving threatening demands for money by letters, phone calls, text messages or social media.
Earlier this week, police said a woman had been injured in an extortion-related shooting, the first injury in the city related to the crime this year.
Anyone with information about the Kap’s Cafe shooting, or who has dash-cam or CCTV footage, is asked to contact the SPS non-emergency line at 604-599-0502 and quote file number 25-90856 (SP), or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or www.solvecrime.ca.