COQUITLAM, BC: A shooting in Coquitlam left 25-year-old Karnvir Singh Garcha dead on July 2, 2023. Garcha, along with one more person, was the subject of a public safety warning issued by Surrey RCMP in late December of 2022, due to his involvement in gang activity and the violence associated with it.
The police believed that anyone connected to or in proximity to him may be putting themselves at risk. Garcha was also informed about credible threats to his safety but according to police he had “shown little regard for public safety,”
On Sunday, July 2. Garcha died in a fatal shooting near Foster Avenue and North Road in Coquitlam at 9:20 p.m.
According to the police, frontline officers attended and located Garcha suffering from a gunshot wound. In spite of life-saving measures, Garcha succumbed to his injuries. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) took conduct of the incident and identified the victim as Karnvir Singh Garcha “in hopes of advancing its investigation.”
The investigators learned that Garcha was dropped off at the scene minutes before the homicide.
“We are looking to speak with anyone who had contact with Mr. Garcha in the days leading up to the shooting, including the driver of the vehicle that dropped him off,” said Sergeant Timothy Pierotti of IHIT.
A suspect vehicle has now been identified . On June 5, 2023, at 9:52 p.m. the Port Moody Police Department (PMPD) were notified of a vehicle fire in a parking lot located in the 3000-block of Murray Street. The vehicle was identified as a white Kia Niro. IHIT is now working with PMPD to forensically process the scene.
Through extensive video canvass, IHIT identified a suspect vehicle, described as a white Kia Niro, arriving in the area at 8:31 p.m. The Kia Niro parked in a loading area at the top of the ramp leading to the underground parkade of 525 Foster Avenue, with its fog lights on, until 9:19 p.m. when Garcha was dropped off at the scene by a ride sharing company. Following the shooting, the suspect returned to the Kia Niro and fled the scene eastbound in the Alley toward Emerson Street.
“We are releasing this photo and video, in hopes that someone will remember seeing this vehicle parked in the loading area,” said Sergeant Timothy Pierotti of IHIT. “If you were in the 500-block of Foster Avenue on July 2 or in the 3000-block of Murray Street on July 5 and observed this vehicle and you have yet to speak with police, please contact IHIT immediately.”
Surrey RCMP in partnership with the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia (CFSEU-BC) issued a public warning in late December due to an increased threat to public safety posed by Garcha and 22-years-old Harkirat Jhutty of Surrey because of the involvement in gang activity and the violence associated with it.
Due to a significant threat to the public posed by these individuals through their connection to criminal activity and high levels of violence, police believe that anyone connected to or in proximity to them may be putting themselves at risk, the police said.
“The individuals identified have been informed by police of credible threats to their safety, but the threat doesn’t just place them at risk, it poses a risk to anyone who associates with them or anyone who is in proximity to them,” said Surrey RCMP’s Major Crime Team Lead, Inspector Bal Hansra in December. “Due to their association with gang activity, the drug trade, and violent acts such as shootings, these individuals have put themselves, their families, and the community at risk.”
“Despite the threats to their lives and the safety of others around them, these individuals have shown little regard for public safety in our communities,” said S/Sgt Lindsay Houghton of CFSEU-BC at that time.