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A Surrey, B.C., police spokesperson confirms that an extortion-related shooting on Saturday saw people in the targeted residence try to shoot back.
The Surrey Police Service (SPS) said on Sunday officers responded to reports of shots fired outside a residence in the 8600-block of Galway Crescent at about 2:20 a.m. on Saturday.
The shooting in the Bear Creek neighbourhood did not result in any injuries, and police confirmed Monday that they’re looking into reports that people in the residence allegedly fired back.
He stressed police do not condone vigilantism or people arming themselves to fight back, and said that there was an investigation underway regarding the potential careless use of a firearm.
“In the worst-case scenario, you may think you’re defending yourself, but you may may end up killing someone who’s innocent,” he said. “That’s not something we think anyone wants to have happen.”
A Surrey Police Service spokesperson said there was an investigation underway regarding potential careless use of a firearm. (Ben Nelms/CBC)
Another suspected extortion-related shooting was reported in the city on Monday, with Houghton saying police have received 34 reports of extortion in the first 19 days of the year.
The latest shooting was reported at a business at the intersection of 193rd Street and Langley Bypass just after 8 a.m. PT on Monday.
Houghton explained the business had been shot at sometime overnight, and no one was injured in the case.
The SPS spokesperson told CBC News that the ongoing rash of violent extortion cases in Surrey is concerning, and he knows there are people with more information that have yet to come forward to police.
People are seen outside a business near Langley Bypass in Surrey, B.C., which was the target of a suspected extortion-related shooting on Monday. (CBC)
“I don’t think anyone expected the cases to stop just because the calendar turned from Dec. 31 to Jan. 1,” he said.
“It’s quite clear that this is going to continue. And not just in Surrey, but around the Lower Mainland and across Canada.”
WATCH | Home targeted twice in extortion-related shootings:
Surrey, B.C., home targeted twice in 2 weeks in extortion-linked shooting, police say
Police say a home in Surrey, B.C., has been targeted again in an extortion linked shooting. As CBC’s Troy Charles explains, the shootings come less than two weeks apart.Over 130 cases in 2025
Amid the spike in extortion-related crimes to start the year, B.C. Premier David Eby said last week that the province’s extortion task force would provide an update to the community.
Officials have said the rash of violent extortion cases are primarily affecting B.C.’s South Asian community, and there is a public tip line and reward fund set up to encourage people to come forward with information.
In 2025, Surrey saw a total of 132 extortion attempts, 49 involving shootings, according to police.
So far, none of the seven confirmed extortion-related shootings in 2026 have led to a death.