Richmond homicide victim had ties to B.C. gang conflict: IHIT
Posted July 28, 2023 3:14 pm.
Investigators have identified the victim of a shooting in Richmond Thursday as Ravinder Samra, who had ties to the B.C. gang conflict.
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) says officers first received reports of a shooting along Minler Road near Blundell Road just before 6 p.m.
RCMP in Richmond respond to a fatal shooting on Thursday July 27, 2023. (Shane MacKichan, CityNews Image)
When they arrived, officers found Samra, who had been shot. Despite efforts to save him, the 36-year-old died at the scene.
IHIT says police received reports of a car on fire on Blundell Road near Highway 99 a short time later. This is believed to be connected to the shooting.
Related article: Fatal shooting in Richmond, IHIT called in
“Mr. Samra was known to police and we believe this was a targeted shooting associated to the BC Gang Conflict,” said IHIT Corp. Sukhi Dhesi.
Samra was one of several on a list of people described as posing “a significant threat to the public” released by police in B.C. both last year and the year before.
In August 2022, the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia shared a poster, showing 11 gang members they say pose a threat to public safety. (Courtesy: CFSEU-BC)
According to the Vancouver Sun, Samra’s death came just months after his younger brother died in a shooting in south Vancouver. His brother, Amarpreet, was also on the list of people flagged as posing a risk to the public.
The 28-year-old was killed in what was described as a “targeted” shooting outside a banquet hall around 1:30 a.m. on May 28.
Meanwhile, IHIT says Ravinder Samra’s identity is being released with the hopes that more information will be brought forward.
Investigators are now looking to speak with witnesses or anyone who may have dashcam or CCTV footage from the area of Minler and Blundell roads between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Thursday.
