Surrey man identified as victim of car fire near Bridal Falls: IHIT

POPKUM — Homicide investigators have now identified the remains found inside a burning vehicle in Popkum late July.

On July 27 at about 11:35 p.m., Agassiz RCMP found one person dead in the car after a vehicle fire in the 52100 block of Cheam Road, behind the Shell gas station and outside The Cottages at Bridal Falls.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) was deployed, and investigators worked closely with the RCMP and BC Coroners Service to gather evidence.

IHIT is identifying the victim as a 22-year-old Surrey man, Hamza Fazil, who has had previous interactions with police.

Investigators believe this was a targeted incident with links to the B.C. gang conflict.

Fazil’s family reported him missing, and he was last seen in Surrey on July 27, around 9:00 p.m. in the 13300 block of Old Yale Road, Surrey.

“This investigation is still in the early stages,” said Cpl. Sukhi Dhesi of IHIT.

“Investigators are looking to build a timeline of Mr. Fazil’s activities prior to the homicide. We would urge anyone with information about him or his activities in the days leading up to his death to contact investigators.”

Anyone with dashcam footage from the areas of Cheam Road and Bridal Falls Road between 10:00 p.m. July 27 and 1:00 a.m. July 28 is asked to contact the IHIT information line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.