In what authorities describe as a potential breakthrough in investigations into a surge of extortion and shooting incidents targeting businesses and homes, Surrey police say they have arrested two suspects following an early morning shooting. Separately, British Columbia Premier David Eby has offered to convene a national meeting of police leaders to address what he called a growing extortion crisis.

Eby, who was in Ottawa for a first ministers meeting, discussed the issue with Prime Minister Mark Carney and Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree. Following those discussions, Eby said the group reviewed calls from municipal leaders, including Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke and Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, to consider declaring a national state of emergency in response to the problem.

As an initial step, Eby said police leadership from provinces most affected, including Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta, and British Columbia, would meet in Surrey within the next two weeks. “We can ensure there are no gaps in sharing information, that all resources that are needed have been delivered, and they can get a handle on this as the national issue that it is,” said Eby.

Since returning from a visit to India, Eby has been advocating a coordinated, long-term approach to address what he described as an “extortion crisis.”

Meanwhile, Surrey police are treating the arrest of two suspects after a shooting at a residence as a possible turning point in the investigation. Police believe the suspects are foreign nationals from India. Investigators are seeking public assistance after releasing photos of two men charged with firearms-related offences, as they work to determine whether the incident is linked to a broader pattern of extortions in Surrey.

“We have now had a victim come forward,” said Sgt. Tige Pollock, a media relations officer with the Surrey Police Service, according to a statement released to media.

The release of images of Harshdeep Singh (20) and Hanspreet Singh (21) came as both the Surrey mayor and the city’s police chief called for public photo releases to become a more routine response in suspected extortion cases.

As of early this week, Surrey had recorded 36 suspected extortions, eight related shootings, and 21 victims. Police said 16 of those victims had previously been targeted. Authorities noted that many incidents have affected South Asian communities, with threats and demands for money reported in Surrey, Delta, and Abbotsford.

Police said several cases involved suspects firing at businesses or vehicles during overnight hours.

On Monday morning, Surrey police officers on patrol as part of an increased presence initiative reported hearing gunshots. Officers later located a suspect vehicle and took both the driver and passenger into custody. “During the arrests, a loaded handgun was discovered and seized,” said Surrey police in a release.

Harshdeep Singh has been charged with one count of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and one count of occupying a vehicle knowing a firearm is present. Hanspreet Singh has been charged with one count of occupying a vehicle knowing a firearm is present, police said.

Surrey police stated that both men are foreign nationals and that the Canada Border Services Agency has been involved in the investigation. A CBSA spokesperson told media that criminal proceedings take precedence over immigration matters, meaning foreign nationals charged with crimes cannot be removed from Canada until charges are resolved and, if applicable, sentences are served.

Both men remain in custody. Police said it is not yet clear whether both suspects are connected to the broader extortion cases, and no injuries were reported in the incident.

On Wednesday, police reported a new suspected extortion incident at a business in Surrey’s Newton neighborhood, where damage was found. “The business was unoccupied at the time, and fortunately, nobody was injured as a result of the incident,” police said.

Authorities said the motive for the shooting remains under investigation but appears to be connected to the ongoing series of extortions in the city.

Surrey police said photos of the suspects were released “after determining that the disclosure was necessary to assist with the ongoing police investigation.” The service added that it hopes the release will prompt witnesses, victims, or associates to come forward with relevant information.

Police said the disclosure was made under provisions of British Columbia’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act to advance an active investigation and seek public assistance. The Surrey Police Service also noted it maintains an extortion reward fund of up to Can $250,000 for information that leads to charges and convictions in extortion cases.

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