Surrey RCMP ask for help identifying victims of recent shooting

Surrey RCMP are asking for public help in order to identify two men who were the apparent targets of a June 8 shooting.

RCMPsay they are releasing pictures taken fromsecurity camera footagebecausethe victims are not cooperating with police.

Police believe they have identified at least one of the victims, but say thatperson hasdeniedany involvement.

"We were hoping that the victims, at the very least, would have come forward," saidSurrey Sgt. Dale Carr.

Police believe thetwo menhad been eating at an Earls restaurant at72nd Avenueand 120th Streetwhenthe shooting occurred.

RCMP say it appears to have been a targeted attack linked to a series of drug-related shootings in Delta and Surrey. They say the victims fled in a blue vehicle before police arrived. No one was injured.

• Earls restaruant shooting linked to low-level drug war: Surrey RCMP

Public interest versus privacy

This is not the first time policehave asked for the public's help in itsinvestigation into localgang-war violence. In April, Surrey RCMP released thephotographs of 13 peoplethey claim are involved in a gang war.

Police sayone of their biggest problems in their investigation into gang-related shootings is the alleged lack of co-operation from the individualswho have been shot.

Civil liberties advocates warnthat releasing photographs of those involved in the shootings may putthem at risk.

• Analysis:Privacy and public interest at odds in Surrey shooting investigation

But Surrey RCMPsay it's necessary to further their investigation andprotectthe public.

"Without the cooperation of these two victims it makes our job that much harder in identifying the suspects," said Carr of the June 8 shooting.

"We are doing everything we can to solve these shootings but we need the help of the victims and any witnesses to further the investigation."

Police are asking anyone with information on any of the shootings to call the tip line at604-915-6566or to call Crime Stoppers, if they wish to remain anonymous, at 1-800-222-TIPS orwww.solvecrime.ca.