IHIT identifies Langley taxicab shooting victim, who has connections to organized crime

LANGLEY — IHIT detectives have now identified the victim of Friday’s shooting inside a taxicab in Langley as a 24-year-old man, in an effort to advance their investigation.

According to a statement from Integrated Homicide Investigation Team spokesperson Corporal Sukhi Dhesi, Langley RCMP responded to reports of a shooting around 200 Street and 53 Avenue in Langley on Friday evening, Sept. 5 at about 10:28 p.m. Frontline officers arrived promptly, located the victim and initiated life-saving measures. Despite their life-saving efforts, the victim succumbed to his injures at the scene. The shooting occurred while the victim was inside a taxi and there is only one victim and no other reports of injures.

In an effort to advance the investigation, the victim has been identified as 24-year-old Taran Pandher from the Lower Mainland. IHIT’s Integrated Gang Homicide Team (IGHT) has taken conduct of the investigation.

Cpl. Dhesi says Pandher was known to police and suspected of being connected to organized crime. Investigators believe this was a targeting shooting with connections to the British Columbia Gang Conflict (BCGC).

On the same evening when the shooting occurred, police received reports of a vehicle fire in the 13250 block of 64A Avenue in Surrey; investigators believe this to be connected to the homicide.

IGHT is asking anyone with dashcam or CCTV from the following areas to please contact police:

• 20200 block of 53A Avenue, Langley between 9:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. September 5
• 13250 block of 64A Avenue, Surrey between 10:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. September 5
• 19900 block of 53 Avenue, Langley between 10:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. September 5

“This shooting has many of the specific indications of a gang-related homicide,” said Cpl. Dhesi. “The nature of the BCGC is complex and IGHT will continue to work to hold those responsible for the homicide of Mr. Pandher, accountable.”

Anyone with information regarding this investigation can call the IHIT information line 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.