UPDATE: IHIT has identified the body found Thursday afternoon in South Surrey as 24-year-old Amin Vinepal. Police say Vinepal, a Delta resident, was known to police and associated with gang activity, according to a news release issued by IHIT at approximately 11:30 a.m. Friday.
鈥淚HIT is releasing Mr. Vinepal鈥檚 name in an effort to determine his activities and who he may have had contact with prior to his death. Investigators believe Mr. Vinepal鈥檚 murder was targeted and linked to other gang violence in the Lower Mainland.鈥�
Police investigating the death of a man found on 12 Avenue in South Surrey Thursday afternoon want to speak with social-media 鈥渢ipsters鈥� who reported hearing gunshots in the area.
鈥淲e need to find out who these tipsters are, it鈥檚 vital to the investigation,鈥� Cpl. Frank Jang of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team told reporters late Thursday, in an interview outside of the Surrey RCMP detachment.
鈥淚鈥檓 asking those people who may have heard or seen anything suspicious in that area鈥� you need to please come forward and speak with us.鈥�
Surrey RCMP were in the 18700-block of 12 Avenue around 3:30 p.m. April 26. A witness at the scene described seeing a body 鈥渃overed in a white sheet鈥� in the middle of the road.
Shortly after, a report of a vehicle burning on 28 Avenue, between 184 and 188 streets, just east of East Kensington Elementary, came in.
Police are on scene investigating two incidents in South Surrey. Please be advised that roads are closed along 12th Ave between 184 and 176 St and along 28th Ave between 184th and 188th St.
鈥� Surrey RCMP (@SurreyRCMP)
Roads in both areas were immediately cordoned off.
Jang said the man鈥檚 death was deemed suspicious, and that police do not believe it was random. As well, police suspect a link between it and the vehicle fire.
鈥淎t this point, we believe that the two incidents may be related and our investigators have taken steps to secure both scenes for careful analysis.鈥�
is in 17800 block of 12 AVE in south tonight for report of a suspicious death. is working together with to canvass neighbourhood. Appears targeted. Media availability w/ Cpl Frank Jang at front door of Surrey Detachment,14355 57 AVE, at 10PM.
鈥� IHIT (@HomicideTeam)
Investigators were expected to be at both scenes overnight collecting evidence.
Jang said the vehicle found on 28 Avenue was 鈥渂urned right down to the frame鈥� and that police will be canvassing the neighbourhood for witnesses and video surveillance that may help identify the people or vehicles involved.
Police will also be reviewing reports of other suspicious activities in the area.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 definitely one of the things that we are going to look into,鈥� Jang said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e going to look into all the previous police files associated to that area. If there are any suspicious vehicles, especially recently, that frequented the area, we鈥檙e going to find out about it.鈥�
As of Friday morning, the victim鈥檚 identity and cause of death had not been publicly disclosed.
Anyone with information that could help investigators is asked to call the IHIT tip line at 1-877-551-4448 or email ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Victm of homicide in has been ID'ed as 24y/o Amin Vinepal of Delta. Mr. Vinepal was found dead in 17800-block 12 AVE yesterday after 3:30pm. He was known to police. Burnt car in 18700-block 28 AVE believed to be related to investigation. Anyone w/ info pls contact
鈥� IHIT (@HomicideTeam)
