A 68-year-old individual of Indian descent was fatally shot while seated in his vehicle outside his residence in Abbotsford, British Columbia. The incident, suspected to be a deliberate attack, led to a homicide inquiry and temporary lockdowns at nearby schools, as confirmed by Canadian authorities.
The victim, identified as Darshan Singh Sahsi, hailing from Ludhiana, was the head of Canam International, a prominent clothing recycling company highlighted by his son Arpan as one of the largest globally, according to CBC news. Responding to a shooting report on Ridgeview Drive, Abbotsford Police Patrol officers found the victim with life-threatening injuries in a parked vehicle.
Despite immediate medical attention, the victim succumbed to his wounds, with no arrests made at present. The assailant, waiting in a nearby parked car, opened fire on Sahsi as he entered his vehicle before fleeing the scene.
Speculation surrounding the targeted shooting’s possible connection to extortion attempts within the South Asian community has emerged, although authorities have not confirmed any links. The Abbotsford Police Department has handed over the case to the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team for further examination.
Although motives and associations with extortion-related crimes remain unclear, police have classified the incident as a deliberate assault, as reported by CityNews Vancouver. Notably, Sahsi’s son emphasized that there were no threats, blackmail, or extortion involved, expressing their shock and disbelief at the incident.
Arpan described his father as a well-respected figure in the local community, known for his philanthropic endeavors and dedication to helping others. He shared his intention to uphold his father’s legacy and values moving forward. Sahsi, who migrated from Punjab to Canada in 1991, established his company with a small team of employees, as per Vancouver Sun reports.