Canada

Foreign men charged after extortion-linked shooting in Surrey, B.C.

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The B.C. public safety minister says extortions are down, but the crisis remains a top priority.

Two foreign nationals have been charged in connection with a shooting at a Surrey, B.C., home that investigators say was likely part of an attempt to extort the resident.

The two men, 22-year-old Damanjeet Singh and 30-year-old Pardaman Singh, were arrested after police executed a search warrant in Surrey following the April 22 shooting, the Surrey Police Service said in a news release Wednesday.

The search was conducted with assistance from the Lower Mainland District Emergency Response Team and officials with the Canada Border Services Agency after investigators identified a suspect vehicle connected to the shooting.

Officers were called to reports of gunfire at the home in the 13400 block of 87A Avenue around 12:40 a.m.

“Police quickly confirmed that none of the occupants of the home were injured,” Surrey police said in a statement following the attack. “The residence was damaged, and bullet casings were observed outside.”

Investigators say a resident of the home had been the victim of extortion threats prior to the gunfire, which had also damaged a vehicle.

Both men have been charged with one count each of discharging a firearm into a place knowing or being reckless as to whether someone was present, and possession of a restricted or prohibited firearm without a licence.

Police say the suspects will be held in custody pending scheduled court appearances on May 19 and June 1.

Investigators released photos of the two men Wednesday and are asking additional victims, witnesses or associates to come forward with information that could assist in the case.

A $250,000 Surrey Extortion Reward Fund was established in September 2025 and remains in place to encourage tips leading to charges and convictions.

There have been 98 reported cases of extortion in Surrey in 2026, including 16 shootings, according to the latest police data.

The Canada Border Services Agency says it has opened 446 immigration investigations into foreign nationals suspected of links to extortion across the country.

The agency says it has issued 118 removal orders as a result of the investigations, and 55 of those orders have been enforced.