Mayor questions why Surrey gang unit was ‘discontinued’ amid murder spree

Surrey’s ongoing gang war has claimed the lives of two teenagers and the mayor of Surrey is wondering if Surrey Police Service changes to its specialist gang unit could have played a negative role in the recent spate of gun violence.

On May 10, at approximately 10:02 p.m., Surrey Police Service officers responded to calls of a shooting in an underground parking lot in the 7000 block of 133B Street – only to find two males, aged 16 and 18, suffering gunshot wounds.

Both died at the scene.

The murders follow another homicide last week and a different shooting.

“I am outraged by the recent shootings that have left three people dead and two others in critical condition in Surrey,” said Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke. “This violence is unacceptable and deeply troubling for the people who live and work here. Gang activity has posed a serious threat to public safety in our city and across the region for decades, and it continues to put lives at risk today.” 

Locke says she has written to Surrey Police Board chair Harley Chappell calling for an “immediate review of the decision to redeploy members of the Surrey Police Service gang unit for the purposes of staffing District 4 (Cloverdale) in April.

“These officers play a critical role in combatting gangs, extortion, and targeted violence. The board should ensure that SPS has a clear plan to address gang activity in our city,” Locke said.

“Surrey has always invested heavily in anti-gang messaging and fully staffed a specialist gang unit. This was recently discontinued by the chief of police. It is critical that the Surrey Police Service have the right plan in place to combat gang violence in our city, and collapsing this unit at a time when we are experiencing heightened levels of gang violence sends the wrong message.”

SPS Chief Const. Norm Lipinskiimmediately responded to the allegations made by the mayor in a statement, saying the team was “repurposed” to help deal with the extortion crisis.

“As staffing capacity improves, our plan is clear,” said Lipinski. “The Gang Crime Unit will begin returning to its regular duties in mid‑June, when our next class of experienced officers is deployed and operational capacity is strengthened. This approach ensures continuity in both frontline response and specialised investigations.”

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) has assumed conduct of the investigation of the double murder, which is in its early stages.

The victims, both residents of Surrey, were 18 and 16 years old. IHIT investigators are working with their families to understand the victims’ activities leading up to the shooting. While the motive is still under investigation, investigators believe this to be a targeted incident related to the BC gang conflict.

“This shooting has left two families grieving the loss of young lives taken far too soon,” says Sgt. Freda Fong of IHIT. “Extensive work is underway as investigators pursue all available leads to identify and hold those responsible accountable.”

Shortly after the shooting, a vehicle fire was reported in the area of 144 Street and 84 Avenue. Investigators recovered a burnt grey four-door sedan believed to be involved in the homicide and are actively working to identify the occupants who fled the scene.

IHIT is seeking witnesses or anyone with dashcam video in either area, 7000 block of 133B Street, as well as 144 Street and 84 Avenue, between 9 and 11 p.m., on May 10. Anyone with information is asked to call the IHIT information line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca