Surrey RCMP identify targets of recent shootings for sake of public safety

Surrey RCMP have released the photosof five men who have been the targets of shootings in Surrey over the past fiveweeks.

Police are taking the unusual step of posting thephotosbecause they believe the men are still targetsand are putting the public's safety at risk.

They are warning the public to avoid interaction with the men, who have been uncooperative with police.

"Although their lives are in danger, they are refusing to provide details to the police.We believe these individuals also know who the suspects are in many of these cases.They also refuse to identify these individuals. As such, these intended victims, themselves, have become a risk to the safety of our city,"saidRCMPassistant commissionerDwayne McDonald.

All five men are in their 20sand live in Surrey, Coquitlamor Vancouver.

Surrey shots fired locations in July

McDonald is the officerin charge for the Surrey RCMP. He addressed media Monday regarding the spike in shootings this month.

"I know the residents of this city are frustratedand I know this has gone on too long, and you want us to do something. I hear all of your concerns and I share in your frustration. We have significant overt and covert police officers assigned to this issue and it remains our top priority," said McDonald.

"We are making headway, and we are aware of who a number of these people are. Our Surrey gang enforcement team, with support from the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit are involved in significant enforcement operations ... to strategically target these individuals related to the drug trade and gang violence."

McDonald says despite this recent increase in shootings, they are down 47 per cent compared to the same time period last year. In addition, he says violent crime is also down.

Police are appealing to the public for information related to any of the recent shootings and ask that people contact Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502 or call Crime Stoppers.

They are also warning residents to watch out for unknown, occupied vehicles, idling for long periods of timeand to call the Surrey RCMP non-emergency line, if they see something.

"If we are to be successful in stopping the individuals who are committing violent acts in our city, we need to uniteand we are asking the community to join us in this effort," said McDonald.

• Innocent Surrey shooting victim is a 64-year-old woman from Ontario
• 1 man injured in daytime shooting in South Surrey