A home in Surrey’s Panorama Ridge area was targeted by gunfire overnight in what police believe is another extortion-related crime.
Shortly after midnight Thursday, the Surrey Police Service says it responded to reports of shots fired at a house on 56 Avenue near 134b Street.
Officers found a damaged home and vehicle, but no one was reported injured.
While the motive is under investigation, the SPS says “it appears that this incident is related to the ongoing series of extortions in Surrey.”
Sgt. Tige Pollock says the home has not been targeted before, but some of its residents have received extortion threats.
On Wednesday, the SPS confirmed to 1130 NewsRadio it was already investigating 16 extortion-related crimes since the start of the year and three linked to shootings.
In a statement Thursday, Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke said the city is doing everything within its authority to bring an end to the wave of crime.
“We have increased the policing budget by $100 million since 2021, urgently requested 150 additional officers from the provincial and federal governments, created a $250,000 reward fund for information, upgraded over 600 traffic cameras and facilitated immediate access for the Surrey Police Service, and established a Public Safety Department to unify city-wide safety efforts,” said Locke.
She says she will be meeting with B.C. Solicitor General Nina Krieger to discuss further support.
“I will continue to push for additional resources, solutions and sustained action until this violence is brought to an end,” Locke promised.
Anyone with information about Thursday’s shooting is asked to contact the SPS non-emergency line at 604-599-0502, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or www.solvecrime.ca and quote file number 26-4746 (SP).