‘Helpless’: victim describes weeks of threats leading to shooting at Abbotsford business; Suspect arrested

A suspect is in custody after a business in Abbotsford became the target of gunfire overnight for the second time in a little over a month, the Abbotsford Police says.

Sgt. Paul Walker confirms the shooting is related to extortion.

Police say officers responded to reports of shots fired at a truck and trailer repair business on King Road near Clearbrook Road around 10:45 p.m. Wednesday.

Walker says police quickly identified a suspect vehicle, which was found in the eastern part of the city. The driver was the sole occupant and was arrested at the scene.

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The Abbotsford Police Department (AbbyPD) confirmed that no injuries were reported.

Images from the scene show damage to the business, including bullet holes and shattered glass.

The same building was shot in the early hours of Nov. 12. No injuries were reported in that incident either.

Business owner losing sleep after months of threats

The business owner, who asked to remain anonymous for his safety, tells CityNews he’s been living in a state of distress.

“I’m up all the time… I’m looking at the camera all the time. If I’m not watching, someone else is so that I can have a sleep for a few hours,” the owner said, explaining that he’s been grappling with repeated extortion threats that started before the first shooting.

“After three days, he called me back in the morning, ‘So what did you decide?’ I said, ‘I don’t have any money.'”

He says his top priority is the safety of his family, his employees, and his business.

Since the first shot was fired at APS Trucking, the owner has seen seven of his 12 employees quit, out of concern for their own safety, leaving the future of his 18-year-old business in jeopardy.

“They want to ruin my business so that I put my knees down and pay them what they’re asking for. To my point it seems like I’m helpless.”

While trying to remain afloat financially, the owner hopes the arrest will bring an end to the threats.

In September, Abbotsford police launched a local task force targeting cases of extortion, in addition to supporting a provincial team created for the same purpose.

—With files from Joe Sadowski and The Canadian Press