Foreign nationals arrested, charged in B.C. extortion shooting

Arman Singh, left, and Simarjeet Singh were each charged with one count of reckless discharge of a firearm following the shooting at a home in Surrey, B.C. (Handout)

Police say two foreign nationals have been arrested and charged in connection with a suspected extortion-linked shooting in Surrey, B.C.

The two men—Arman Singh, 21, and Simarjeet Singh, 22—were each charged with one count of reckless discharge of a firearm following the shooting at a home near Surrey Memorial Hospital earlier this month.

Police were called to the scene near the intersection of 96 Avenue and 133A Street shortly after 6 a.m. on June 11. Investigators said the exterior of the home had been damaged by gunfire approximately 30 minutes earlier.

At least one person was inside the residence at the time of the shooting but no injuries were reported.

The Surrey Police Service provided an update on the case Thursday, saying the department’s Extortion Response Team took the lead on the investigation and identified two potential suspects.

Investigators executed search warrants on June 12 with assistance from the heavily armed Lower Mainland District Emergency Response Team and the Canada Border Services Agency.

Police say four men, including Arman and Simarjeet, were arrested during the searches. Both men remain in police custody pending their next scheduled court appearance on June 29.

The two other men have not been charged with crimes and are currently in the custody of the CBSA, police said. All four of those arrested were identified by investigators as foreign nationals.

Authorities have released images of the two men charged in the shooting.

In a statement, the SPS said releasing the photos “is necessary to assist with ongoing police investigations” and that additional witnesses, associates or alleged victims are urged to come forward.

The statement says tipsters are eligible to collect a reward from Surrey’s $250,000 extortion reward fund if the information provided assists in securing charges and convictions against those responsible for the wave of ongoing extortion violence that has gripped the city in recent months.