An Indian-origin Sikh man and his 11-year-old son were killed in an incident related to a targeted shooting in Canada’s Edmonton, police said on Saturday (November 11, 2023).
Harpreet Singh Uppal, 41, and his son were gunned down outside a gas station Thursday afternoon in a brazen, daytime shooting just a block from a daycare, EPS acting Supt. Colin Derksen told the media during a press conference as quoted by Edmonton Sun.
The boy’s young friend, who was inside Uppal’s car at the time, survived with no physical injuries, the newspaper reported.
Meanwhile, the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) Homicide Section is investigating the case.
Police said both the victims died on the scene, located in southeast Edmonton.
“We are sad to report that a child lost their life today as a result of this violent event,” says Staff Sergeant Rob Bilawey with the EPS Homicide Section. “The loss or injury of children as a result of gunfire is unfathomable and we urge anyone with information that may assist this investigation to come forward as soon as possible.”
According to reports, Uppal was believed to be a member of the Brothers Keepers gang.
The incident happened amid deteriorating relationship between India and Canada over the recent killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
The statement made by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in September, where he accused Indian agents of having involvement in Nijjar’s killing, deeply strained the relationship between India and Canada.
In 2020, India designated Nijjar (45) as a terrorist. After his name cropped up in several terrorism cases, Nijjar escaped to Canada in 1996.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who led the banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), was gunned down by two unidentified assailants outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Colombia, Canada, on June 18.