The clamor of gunfire broke through the typical afternoon routine in Surrey’s Newton neighborhood yesterday, sending residents scrambling for safety and drawing immediate police response. I witnessed the aftermath while reporting on local election issues in the area – the yellow police tape creating an island of investigation around what locals described as an increasingly common occurrence.
“I heard what sounded like firecrackers, maybe five or six shots,” said Harpreet Singh, who was working at his convenience store across the street when the incident occurred. “Everyone just froze, then people started running.”
The shooting took place near 128th Street and 80th Avenue around 2:30 PM, according to Surrey RCMP who quickly cordoned off the area. Initial reports suggest this wasn’t a random act, but rather a targeted incident that fortunately resulted in no injuries – though several vehicles and a storefront sustained damage from stray bullets.
This marks the third shooting in Surrey in just over two weeks, continuing a troubling pattern that has residents and community leaders increasingly concerned. The city’s complex relationship with gun violence has become a focal point in recent civic debates about public safety funding and police resources.
Surrey city councillor Harry Bains, who arrived at the scene within an hour, expressed frustration at the ongoing violence. “Our community deserves better than living with this fear,” he said while speaking with concerned residents. “We’re working to increase police presence in hotspots, but this requires a more comprehensive approach.”
The RCMP’s Integrated Homicide Investigation Team wasn’t called to the scene, confirming there were no casualties. However, the Serious Crime Unit has taken lead on the investigation, with forensic teams meticulously documenting evidence well into the evening.
What struck me while observing the investigation was the almost routine nature of residents’ responses – a worrying sign of how normalized these incidents have become. Several people mentioned they didn’t even call 911, assuming others already had.
Data from Statistics Canada shows gun violence in Surrey has fluctuated over recent years, with a 12% increase in firearms offenses recorded in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period last year. The provincial government recently announced an additional $5.7 million in funding for anti-gang initiatives across B.C., with Surrey identified as a priority area.
Community advocates like Gurpreet Sahota from Wake Up Surrey, a grassroots organization focusing on youth gang prevention, believe yesterday’s incident highlights ongoing systemic issues. “These shootings don’t happen in isolation,” Sahota told me at a community meeting just hours after the incident. “They’re symptoms of deeper problems – lack of youth programs, economic pressures, and the ongoing drug trade.”
The shooting comes at a particularly sensitive time, as Surrey continues its controversial transition from RCMP to a municipal police force – a process that has divided community opinion and created uncertainty about policing strategies. Some residents I spoke with questioned whether the transition itself might be contributing to gaps in enforcement.
“Who’s actually in charge right now? That’s what people are asking,” said Maria Chen, who owns a small business near yesterday’s shooting location. “We just want consistent protection, regardless of what badge they’re wearing.”
Surrey RCMP spokesperson Corporal Vanessa Munn provided limited details during a brief press conference, noting that investigators believe a dark SUV seen leaving the area may have been involved. “We’re asking anyone with information or dashcam footage from the area between 2:15 and 2:45 PM to contact investigators,” she said.
The province’s Solicitor General Mike Farnworth expressed concern about the incident but emphasized that specialized anti-gang units continue operating at full capacity during the policing transition. “Public safety remains our top priority,” he stated in a release from Victoria.
For those living and working in the neighborhood, however, yesterday’s shooting reinforces a sense that more immediate solutions are needed. Community watch groups report increased membership requests in recent months, with residents taking more active roles in neighborhood security.
Local businesses have invested in additional security measures, with several shop owners mentioning enhanced camera systems and earlier closing times – economic and social impacts that extend beyond the immediate danger of the shootings themselves.
As investigators continued their work into the evening, the question hanging over the community wasn’t just about who was responsible for yesterday’s gunfire, but what comes next in addressing the underlying issues fueling the violence.
The community response will likely be the focus of next week’s previously scheduled public safety forum at the Newton Cultural Centre, where city officials and police representatives are expected to face difficult questions about prevention strategies and resource allocation.
In a city undergoing significant growth and transition, yesterday’s shooting serves as a stark reminder that public safety remains the fundamental concern for residents trying to build stable lives and businesses. The political will to address these issues comprehensively may well determine Surrey’s trajectory in the coming years.
For now, however, another crime scene tape joins the collective memory of a community weary of gunfire interrupting their daily lives.
