Burnaby/Fraser Valley – FEBRUARY 2024 UPDATE – – A Delta man has now been charged with conspiracy to commit murder in relation to a 2023 Burnaby homicide.
Background: On September 16, 2023, the Burnaby RCMP responded to a report of shots fired in the 3400-block of North Road, Burnaby. First responding officers arrived on scene and found a deceased man, later identified as 29-year old Gagandeep Sandhu of Abbotsford, in an underground parkade. Shortly after, a vehicle fire was reported in the area of Greenwood Street and Bainbridge Avenue, Burnaby. Frontline officers located a black Honda Pilot engulfed in flames. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) took conduct of the investigation and continued to work closely in partnership with the Burnaby RCMP, BC Coroners Service and the Integrated Forensic Identification Section (IFIS).
Through partnerships and intelligence sharing with the Abbotsford Police Department and the Federal Serious and Organized Crime Unit, evidence was obtained that identified 32-year old Michael Johal of Delta, as a suspect in the conspiracy to murder Sandhu.
On February 21, 2024, with the assistance of the Delta Police Department and the Lower Mainland Integrated Emergency Response Team, Johal was arrested without incident. Subsequently, a charge was laid against Johal for Conspiracy to Commit Murder, in relation to the death of Gagandeep Sandhu.
“Intelligence sharing and strong partnerships, alongside the hard work of our investigators, is fundamental to IHIT’s success,” says Sergeant Timothy Pierotti of IHIT. “This remains an open homicide investigation and we still ask that anyone with information, who has yet to speak to the police, comes forward.”
IHIT is asking any witnesses or anyone traveling in the 3400-block of North Road or the area of Greenwood Street and Bainbridge Avenue, Burnaby between 4:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 16, 2023, to contact the IHIT Information Line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
ORIGINAL STORY SEPTMBER 2023 – On Saturday evening (September 16, 2023 at 5PM), Burnaby RCMP responded to a report of shots fired in the 3400-block of North Road, Burnaby. First responding officers arrived on scene and found a deceased man inside a parked vehicle in an underground parkade. Shortly after, a vehicle fire was reported in the area of Greenwood Street and Bainbridge Avenue, Burnaby. Frontline officers located a black Honda Pilot engulfed in flames. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) took conduct of the investigation and continues to work closely in partnership with the Burnaby RCMP, BC Coroners Service and the Integrated Forensic Identification Section (IFIS).
IHIT has now identified the victim as 29-year old Gagandeep Sandhu of Abbotsford, in hopes of advancing its investigation. Initial evidence suggests this was a targeted shooting, though the motive remains unclear.
“IHIT is working closely with the RCMP’s forensic experts to process both scenes and to determine if they are related,” says Sergeant Timothy Pierotti of IHIT. “We’re asking any witnesses or anyone with dash-camera video who was in either area, to please come forward.”
IHIT is asking any witnesses or anyone traveling in the 3400-block of North Road or the area of Greenwood Street and Bainbridge Avenue, Burnaby between 4:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 16, 2023, with dash cameras, to contact the IHIT Information Line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
