RCMP identify attempted murder suspect in Surrey fire attack

The Surrey RCMP has identified a suspect wanted for an attempted murder in which the victim was set on fire last week.

Just after 1 p.m. on Aug. 2, Mounties were called to a report of a serious assault on City Parkway near 102 Avenue. When they got to the area, they found the victim suffering serious injuries.

“Surrey RCMP can confirm the suspect allegedly assaulted the victim by throwing an accelerant on his body and proceeded to light him on fire. The victim suffered serious burns to his body,” police said in an update Saturday afternoon. “The victim remains in hospital and is recovering.”

In a release Friday, the Surrey RCMP says it’s now asking for the public’s help locating 33-year-old Kalid Yimer in connection with the attack.

“Given the severity of the incident on August 2, 2024, Kalid Yimer is believed to be violent and dangerous, and police are releasing an enhanced photo to locate him and warn the public,” said Corp. Sarbjit K. Sangha.

“If you have information on the whereabouts of Kalid Yimer, or if you see him, do not approach and call 9-1-1.”

Yimer is described as 5’6” tall, with dark hair, brown eyes, and a medium build.

The victim in the attack had been identified as Rahat Rao, a local businessman at a currency exchange in the Whalley neighbourhood.

Zeeshan Wahla, a Surrey resident and BC Conservative candidate for Surrey-City Centre told 1130 NewsRadio Wednesday that he witnessed the attack last week. He says that Rao told him to wait a couple of minutes while he dealt with another customer in the back room. Minutes later, Rao ran outside covered in flames.

Wahla says he followed Rao out into the parking lot and threw a blanket on him while others also tried to stop the fire and called 9-1-1.

He says the night that the incident happened, he was unable to sleep because the images kept coming back to him.

“You saw someone burning in front of you, and it’s very hard to explain,” he said. “When I got home, I started crying … it could be me because I was in the shop too.”

Police say they recovered a vehicle on Saturday that they believe Yimer had stolen and used to flee from the scene of the attack.

Mounties say Yimer is believed to be in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia or travelling to Alberta.