Victim of fatal Abbotsford mall shooting identified: IHIT
Posted January 20, 2024 9:14 pm.
Last Updated January 22, 2024 7:57 am.
Police have identified the victim of a fatal shooting in a parking lot of a mall in Abbotsford, the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) says.
The Abbotsford Police Department was called to the northeast underground parking lot of the Sevenoaks Shopping Centre on South Fraser Way just before 6 p.m. Saturday. There, officers found a 25-year-old man dead inside a vehicle.
Police say early indications suggest the incident was targeted. The victim has been identified as Abbotsford resident, Amritpal Saran. His name has been released in the hopes it can help the investigation, police explain.
Shortly after the shooting, IHIT says police were told of a vehicle fire on Townshipline Road, near McMath Street. IHIT and forensic experts with AbbyPD are investigating to see whether this is connected with the shooting.
“This was a careless shooting, showing no concern for public safety,” said IHIT’s Sgt. Timothy Pierotti. “We are looking to speak with witnesses who were at either the mall parking lot where the shooting occurred, or scene of the vehicle arson.”
The Abbotsford Police Major Crime Unit is transferring the investigation, which is in the preliminary stages, to IHIT.
Anyone with any information who has not spoken to police is being asked to call the IHIT Infoline at 1-877-551-4448 or ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca. As well, IHIT asks anyone who was driving in the north-east section of the mall parking lot between 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m., or in the area around Townshipline Road near McMath Street between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. with dash cam footage to contact IHIT as well.
