Homicide Team's Cpl Frank Jang says the victim of Surrey's latest shooting Rajeev Sangha aka Raj Sangha was associated with drug activity. The information was provided from policing partners from outside B.C.
The motive for the killing is still unknown, but Jang said Sangha's associations "may have played a role in his death."
IHIT would not confirm where the new information originated, except to say that it was from outside British Columbia. Jang stressed that the developments do not diminish IHIT's commitment to solving the murder.
He added: “We make no judgments on what Mr. Sangha did in life,” adding that his past was relevant only regarding any information that would help their current ongoing homicide investigation.
Update on Monday’s murder in @CityofSurrey @HomicideTeam Cpl Frank Jang says the victim Raj Sangha was associated with drug activity. The information was provided from policing partners from outside B.C. @CKNW @GlobalBC @SurreyRCMP pic.twitter.com/51hlB8quVw
— Janet Brown (@JanetBrown980) November 30, 2018
On Tuesday, IHIT told the media that those responsible for killing Sangha immediately left the area in a black four-door sedan.
Approximately one hour later at 12:49 p.m., the Richmond RCMP was alerted to a burning black sedan in the area of the 12000-block of Cambie Road. It was found approximately 100 meters off of Cambie Road on a pedestrian path. Detectives would like to speak with anyone that has information about this vehicle and are seeking dash cam video from drivers who were travelling between Surrey and Richmond along Highway 99 or Highway 91 between 11:46 a.m. and 12:49 p.m.
It is still early in the investigation but investigators believe the murder of Sangha was a targeted incident and are working to determine motive.
IHIT said it is working closely with its partners from the Surrey RCMP, the Richmond RCMP, the Integrated Forensic Identification Services and the B.C. Coroners Service to gather evidence.
“Retracing Ranjeev Sangha’s movements prior to his death will be one of the priorities for our detectives and we urge anyone who can help us achieve this end to contact us immediately,” said Cpl. Frank Jang of IHIT.
IHIT confirmed, the victim of Monday shooting Surrey , Raj Sangha was associated with drug activity. The information was provided from policing partners from outside B.C. details will be tonight @OMNIpunjabi
— Prabhjot Kahlon (@PrabhjotKahlon) November 30, 2018
We’re deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Raj Sangha - a prominent figure in our community who established Paji Guys...
Posted by Royal Academy Of Bhangra on Wednesday, 28 November 2018
Jang urged anyone with information that might help IHIT's investigation to come forward.
"I realize that this news may come as a surprise to some in the community," Jang said. "To some it may not come as a surprise. They probably had knowledge about this. And so we're (telling) those people that had intimate knowledge of what Mr. Sangha was doing, what he was involved in – we need to speak to you."
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.
Should you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).