A 28-year-old Indian-origin man has been shot dead in what police believe was a targeted killing linked to gang-related activity in the Canadian city of Burnaby, British Columbia. The victim, identified as Dilraj Singh Gill, was a resident of Vancouver and was known to police, according to authorities. The shooting, which occurred in a public area during the early evening hours, has raised renewed concerns about gang violence in the Lower Mainland region.
Investigators say the circumstances surrounding the killing, including the discovery of a burned vehicle shortly afterward, suggest a deliberate and organized act rather than a random incident. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has now taken over the case as police continue to search for suspects and appeal to the public for information.
Details of the Shooting and Initial Police Response
The shooting occurred on Thursday, January 22, 2026, just before 5:30 p.m., near the 3700 block of Canada Way in Burnaby. According to the Burnaby Royal Canadian Mounted Police, frontline officers were dispatched to the area after receiving multiple reports of shots fired. When officers arrived at the scene, they found a man suffering from gunshot wounds.
Despite immediate life-saving efforts by police and emergency responders, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. The area was quickly secured as investigators began canvassing for witnesses and collecting forensic evidence. The shooting took place in a public location, prompting road closures and causing disruption for residents and commuters in the vicinity.
Police have not disclosed how many shots were fired or the type of firearm used, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation. However, authorities have stated that there was no indication of a broader threat to the public following the incident. The targeted nature of the shooting was apparent early in the investigation, leading police to focus on specific motives rather than random violence.
Shortly after the shooting, officers were called to another incident several blocks away. In the 5000 block of Buxton Street, police discovered a vehicle engulfed in flames. Fire crews extinguished the blaze, and investigators immediately began examining whether the burned vehicle was connected to the homicide. Authorities later confirmed that the vehicle was indeed linked to the shooting, reinforcing the theory that the incident was planned and executed with an escape strategy in mind.
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The discovery of the burned vehicle added urgency to the investigation, as such tactics are commonly associated with attempts to destroy evidence and hinder police efforts. Investigators worked through the evening and into the following days to reconstruct the sequence of events, analyze surveillance footage from nearby businesses, and determine the movements of the suspects before and after the shooting.
Gang Conflict Nexus and Victim Background
Police have identified the victim as Dilraj Singh Gill, a 28-year-old Vancouver resident of Indian origin. In a statement released by Burnaby RCMP, authorities confirmed that Gill was known to police and that the shooting appeared to have a nexus to the ongoing gang conflict in British Columbia.
While police have not publicly detailed Dilraj Singh Gill’s criminal history or specific associations, the acknowledgment that he was known to law enforcement suggests prior interactions that may be relevant to the case. Investigators have emphasized that this information is part of their effort to establish motive and context rather than to draw conclusions prematurely.
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Gang-related violence has been an ongoing concern in the Lower Mainland, with conflicts often involving targeted attacks rather than indiscriminate shootings. Such incidents frequently involve individuals believed to be connected, directly or indirectly, to organized criminal networks. Authorities have noted that these conflicts can escalate quickly and spill into public spaces, increasing the risk to bystanders.
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team stated that early findings point to the shooting being targeted, meaning the victim was specifically sought out by the perpetrators. This assessment is based on the manner of the attack, the rapid execution, and the subsequent burning of a vehicle believed to be used in connection with the crime.
Sergeant Freda Fong, speaking on behalf of investigators, said the shooting appears linked to the broader BC gang conflict. She added that investigators are actively working to collect more information about the burned vehicle and its role in the homicide. Forensic teams are examining the remains of the vehicle for DNA, accelerant traces, and any surviving components that could help identify those responsible.
Authorities have also indicated that they are reviewing whether the shooting is connected to other recent incidents in the region. Gang-related cases are often complex, involving overlapping investigations and multiple suspects. Police are working to determine whether this killing represents an escalation of an existing conflict or retaliation connected to previous events.
Ongoing Investigation and Appeal for Public Assistance
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has assumed control of the case, working in close coordination with Burnaby RCMP, the Lower Mainland District Integrated Forensic Identification Service, and the BC Coroners Service. This multi-agency approach is standard in homicide cases and is intended to ensure a thorough and coordinated investigation.
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Investigators are continuing to gather physical evidence from both the shooting scene and the location where the vehicle was found burning. This includes ballistic analysis, forensic examination of the scene, and the collection of any digital evidence that may help trace the suspects’ movements. Police are also reviewing traffic cameras, private security footage, and license plate recognition data from the surrounding area.
Witness accounts are considered crucial at this stage of the investigation. Police have appealed to anyone who was in the area of Canada Way around the time of the shooting or in the Buxton Street area shortly afterward to come forward. Investigators are particularly interested in dashcam footage, which may have captured vehicles or individuals fleeing the scene. Sergeant Freda Fong emphasized the seriousness of the incident, noting that shootings in public places are deeply troubling for both law enforcement and the community.
She stated that information from witnesses and those who were in the area would be critical in advancing the investigation and holding those responsible accountable. Authorities have not released descriptions of suspects or vehicles beyond confirming the involvement of the burned car. They have also declined to comment on whether any arrests are imminent. Police have urged the public not to speculate and to allow investigators to follow the evidence.
Community safety remains a priority for law enforcement, and police have reiterated that there is no indication of an ongoing threat related to this specific incident. Patrols were increased in the area following the shooting as a precaution, and officers have been engaging with residents to provide reassurance. As the investigation continues, police have stressed the importance of cooperation from the public. Even small details, investigators say, can prove significant in complex homicide cases, particularly those involving organized crime.
Anyone with information has been encouraged to contact the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team or provide tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers. The killing of Dilraj Singh Gill adds to a series of targeted shootings in the region that authorities believe are connected to gang conflicts. Investigators remain focused on identifying those responsible and clarifying the circumstances that led to the fatal attack, as the case moves forward under the scrutiny of multiple law enforcement agencies.