President of Surrey, B.C., gurdwara shot dead in parking lot

The president of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, B.C., was shot dead inside a car Sunday night in the temple's busy parking lotin what police are calling a targeted killing.

Investigators say Hardeep Singh Nijjarwas killed just before 8:30 p.m. PT, soon after evening prayers had finished. Nijjar was a prominent leader in the Sikh community and is being mourned widely on social media.

Assistant RCMP Commissioner Brian Edwards called the homicide brazen and shocking.

"I am absolutely appalled this would take place in a house of worship," he said. "It's disgusting."

Members of the Integrated Homicide Investigations Unit (IHIT)are looking at whethera car found on fire in Coquitlam shortly afterwards isconnected to the killing and are appealing for witnesses and people with dashcam footage from the area to come forward.

The temple was the scene of a heavy police presence in the hours after the shooting, with more than 100people gathered near the temple, where police had blocked off both entrances.

WATCH | People gather outsidegurdwara as police investigate shooting:

Crowds gather at the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, B.C., after fatal shooting

1 year ago

Duration 0:17

Members of B.C.s Sikh community say gurdwara president Hardeep Singh Nijjar was targeted by gunmen in the temple's parking lot.

'Immeasurable physical loss'

Bhupinder Singh Hothi,general secretary of the Guru Nanak SikhGurdwara Society,told the media thatNijjar, 45,was married,had two sons and also leaves behind his parents.

"It's touched everyone," he said. "They're going through hard times right now.He was very important. He was the community leader."

Worshippers, including families and children, were at the temple when the shooting occurred, said Hothi.

In a post on Facebook, the organizationB.C. Sikhs said the Sikh community"has suffered an immeasurable physical loss."

The vice-president of the gurdwara,Amandeep Singh Johal, told CBC News that Nijjar was an activist with the Sikh independence group Sikhs for Justice.

Hothi said Nijjar had received threats because of his support for a separate Sikh state in Indiacalled Khalistan. Headded that the shooting would not deter those who share his beliefs.

In 2016, CBC News reported that the government of India was seekingNijjar's extradition from Canada on charges related to extremism.

WATCH | The CBC explainsterrorism allegations involvingHardeep Singh Nijjar in 2016:

Times of India alleges B.C. man running terror camp

8 years ago

Duration 1:58

Indian government seeks Hardeep Singh Nijjar's extradition

A Canadian Press article at the time, based onreporting from the Times of India, alleged Indian intelligence agencies alerted the Canadian government that pro-Khalistan extremists near Mission, B.C., including Nijjar, planned to carry out attacks in Punjab.

Nijjar maintained his innocence at the time and denied all allegations.

Punjab is India's only Sikh-majority state, with around 30 million people residing in the region.

Many Sikhs have long advocatedfor the establishment of Khalistan,saying Sikhs face discrimination and oppression in Hindu-majority India.Indian authorities deny those allegations.

On Monday, the World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO), which promotes the interests of Canadian Sikhs, said Nijjar often led protests against the violation of human rights in India and in support of Khalistan.

It'scallingon the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) to investigate the death, which it says follows the deaths of other prominent Khalistan activists in the U.K. and Pakistan.

"The assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar is gravely alarming for Sikhs in Canada," said WSOpresident Tejinder Singh Sidhuin a release.

The WSO said CSIS andlaw enforcement in Canadafailed to adequately protect Nijjar, who, it says, was a target of Indian intelligence.

"The role of foreign interference from India must be thoroughly investigated, and those responsible for this crime must be brought to justice," said the WSO release.

CBC News has contactedCSISand the Consulate General of Indiafor comment on Nijjar's death.

Edwards said he was aware of the many rumours online about who might be behind the killing.

"We will determine the motive through evidence gathering, not speculation," he said.

'Thoughts to the broader community'

In Ottawa on Monday, federal Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino said he was aware of the killing when asked about it on his way into the House of Commons.

'Well, in the first case, obviously very concerned about the reports this morning and would extend thoughts to the broader community," he said.

CBC News specifically asked MendicinoifNijjarwas in danger in Canada and in contact with CSIS.

"With regards to any national security concerns, naturally, those are issues that we take very sensitively but rest assured that we'll always be upfront and transparent with Canadians as we can," he said.

As news of the killing spread Sunday night and people gathered at the gurdwara, some in the crowd began chanting phrases including "long live Khalistan,'' "we want aseparate Khalistan,'' and "death to India,'' as RCMP officerslooked on.

B.C. Premier David Ebysaid he's confident police willthoroughly investigate, and it's a priority for the province to bring those responsible to justice.

"I'm profoundly disturbed that someone was murdered in our community on the grounds of a place of worship in front of many witnesses," he said about the killing.

The region's Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) is now working with the Surrey RCMP on the killing and is speaking to witnesses and seeking any video or other evidence. It will holda news conference this afternoon in Surrey to provide further information about the case.

"At this early stage of the investigation, any possible motives for the shooting are not yet known," Surrey RCMP said in its statement. "Police are still working to determine possible suspect descriptions from multiple witnesses who were in the area."