Teen murdered in Mission was ‘marked for death,’ say police
A teenager who police warned was being targeted by gangsters was shot and killed in Mission on Wednesday night.
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says 19-year-old Varinderpal Singh Gill was murdered in the parking lot of The Junction Shopping Centre.
RCMP were called to the scene at around 9 p.m. after receiving reports of a shooting and found Gill inside a pickup truck suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
Gill, who was known as “VP,” was pronounced dead at the scene.
On Aug. 15, Gill was the subject of a warning after Abbotsford police deemed his presence in public created a serious risk to public safety due to his involvement in the Metro Vancouver gang conflict.
“He is also at risk of violence by other gang members. Because many gang shootings occur in public places, this means Varinderpal Gill’s presence in public places creates a serious risk to public safety as well,” the warning in August said.
Police didn’t identify which gang Gill was affiliated with, but said he had issued threats against other gang members and he had been threatened.
“This was a brazen shooting in a busy shopping complex and those responsible showed absolutely no regard for human life. Fortunately, no one else was hurt from this incident,” IHIT Cpl. Frank Jang said Thursday. “We are releasing Mr. Gill’s name in an effort to determine his activities and who he may have had contact with prior to his death.”
Gill’s death wasn’t random, said Jang during a news conference Thursday at the scene of the Mission attack.
“We believe there were people who targeted Varinderpal Gill for death. They marked him for death,” he said. “Anyone who was associated to him was really in harm’s way, and now he is the victim of homicide.”
Gill wasn’t alone in the truck when the shooting occurred and Jang said those people are being interviewed. He also said Gill’s family had been approached in hopes of identifying Gill’s associates and friends who could explain what might have led to the shooting.
Police believe a burning SUV found near Bateman Park in Abbotsford early Thursday is connected to the killing and investigators would like to speak with anyone with information about it.
Anyone with info can call the IHIT information line at 1-877-551-4448 or email ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.