VANCOUVER — The man gunned down in a Surrey parking lot Thursday is the brother of a recently-convicted cocaine smuggler.
Police confirmed Friday the victim was 37-year-old Delta resident Jag Johal, brother to Shminder Johal, who was sentenced to 18 years in prison in July for smuggling cocaine and guns into B.C. after a 2007 arrest.
Johal was shot multiple times in broad daylight while sitting in the passenger side of a car in a parking lot at 68 Avenue and King George Boulevard.
There were no other injuries in the daylight attack in the 6800-block of King George Boulevard Thursday.
He was rushed to Royal Columbian hospital, where he later died. Surrey RCMP Sgt. Drew Grainger called the targeted attack, which was witnessed by Johal's wife and four-year-old son, “brazen and deplorable.”
Grainger said the shooting was of particular concern because the plaza has a number of businesses catering to families and children, and took place right at the end of a school day.
No other injuries were reported and the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has taken over the case.
Paramedics were called by the RCMP just before 2:45 p.m., according to B.C. Ambulance Service. According to bystanders, about 10 police cars, a fire truck and two life support unit ambulances were on scene.
This summer, Johal was present in the courtroom while his brother received a lengthy sentence for acting as the “overseer” of a cocaine smuggling ring that also saw a former Canada Border Services Agency guard Baljinder Kandola sentenced to 15 years.
"This apparent targeted shooting occurred in broad daylight in a highly populated public area where many businesses are located. The potential for further victims was high and this selfish act of violence is not taken lightly by investigators," said Sgt. Jennifer Pound, of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, which has taken over the case.
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