Abbotsford Gang Shooting: Victim Identified as Investigation Continues

Police have identified the man killed in a targeted shooting in Abbotsford.
Investigators say the killing is linked to ongoing gang violence in British Columbia.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has identified the victim as Navpreet Dhaliwal, a 28-year-old Abbotsford resident.
Police say he was known to them and had links to gang activity.

Officers responded to reports of gunfire around 12:30 p.m. on January 9.
The shooting occurred on Siskin Drive, a residential street.

Paramedics found Dhaliwal with critical injuries at the scene.
Despite emergency efforts, he died before reaching hospital.

Shooting Considered Targeted and Brazen

Investigators describe the shooting as targeted and deliberate.
They believe the victim was specifically attacked.

Police say the incident is connected to the broader gang conflict in the Lower Mainland.
They have confirmed it is not related to recent extortion-linked violence.

Authorities warn that gang disputes continue to pose risks to public safety.
Targeted attacks can still endanger bystanders in residential areas.

IHIT has taken control of the investigation.
Local police continue to assist with scene analysis and patrols.

Police Seek Witnesses and Video Footage

Investigators are asking the public for help.
They want anyone with information to come forward.

Police are especially seeking dashcam and doorbell camera footage.
The focus is on video recorded between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. that day.

Authorities say even small details could prove critical.
Witness cooperation may help identify suspects and vehicles.

Anyone with information is urged to contact investigators immediately.

Community Reaction and Safety Concerns

The midday shooting has unsettled residents in Abbotsford.
Many expressed concern about violence occurring in a quiet neighborhood.

Community leaders are calling for continued police visibility.
They are urging residents to report suspicious activity.

Police say they will release updates as the investigation progresses.
No arrests have been announced so far.

Canada’s Parole System Under Scrutiny After Indian Student’s Murder

Canada’s parole system is under renewed scrutiny following the murder of an Indian doctoral student in Toronto.
The killing has sparked debate over whether public safety failed due to lenient release policies.

Twenty-year-old Shivank Avasthi was shot and killed near the University of Toronto’s Scarborough campus on December 23, 2025.
Police described the incident as targeted and launched a nationwide search.

Authorities arrested 28-year-old Babatunde Afuwape five days later.
He now faces a charge of first-degree murder.

The case has intensified concerns about how Canada supervises violent offenders after release.
Critics question whether warning signs were overlooked.

Suspect’s Violent Criminal History

Court records show Afuwape had a lengthy criminal history before the killing.
In 2018, he took part in an armed robbery involving a pizza delivery driver.

During the robbery, he stabbed the victim several times.
The victim survived, but the attack caused lasting injuries.

Police also linked Afuwape to gunfire at a Scarborough residence in 2020.
He later faced multiple convictions.

These included armed robbery, firearm offences, and repeated breaches of court orders.
The court sentenced him to more than five years in prison.

Judges also imposed a ten-year firearms ban and ordered DNA submission.
Despite this, Afuwape violated release conditions several times.

Records show he removed his electronic ankle monitor.
He also failed to remain at approved residences during supervision.

Why Was He Released on Parole?

The Parole Board of Canada granted Afuwape day parole in March 2025.
The board later extended that release.

Parole decisions rely on risk assessments, behaviour records, and psychological evaluations.
Officials classified Afuwape as low to moderate risk.

The board cited good conduct while incarcerated.
They also referenced program participation and supervision plans.

Under Canadian law, inmates may apply for day parole after six months.
Full parole eligibility begins after serving one-third of a sentence.

Public Safety and Calls for Reform

The killing has triggered calls for stricter parole oversight.
Many argue violent offenders need tighter supervision.

Others say risk assessment tools require urgent reform.
Community groups stress prevention over rehabilitation shortcuts.

Avasthi’s death has shaken international students and families across Canada.
Pressure is now mounting on federal authorities to review parole policies.

The case highlights the difficult balance between rehabilitation and public safety.

U.S. Indicts California Man Over Cross-Border Death Threats to Canada

A federal grand jury in the United States has indicted an Indian national living in California.
The case involves alleged violent threats sent to a person living in Canada.

U.S. prosecutors say the accused used intimidation tactics across international borders.
The charges highlight growing cooperation between U.S. and Canadian authorities.

Who Is the Accused?

The accused is Jasmeet Singh, a 30-year-old Indian citizen.
He resided in Fresno, California, at the time of the alleged offences.

Federal authorities say Singh targeted a victim living in Canada.
The alleged threats began in May 2024.

Details of the Alleged Threats

Prosecutors say Singh sent multiple death threats to the victim.
The messages allegedly included photos of the victim’s car outside their home.

Authorities say Singh claimed knowledge of the victim’s daily routine.
Investigators believe the intent was to cause fear and intimidation.

U.S. officials classify the messages as credible violent threats.
They say the conduct crossed both legal and national boundaries.

Motive Linked to Prior Cooperation

Court filings suggest the threats linked to the victim’s past actions.
The victim had previously cooperated with Indian law enforcement authorities.

That cooperation reportedly led to criminal investigations in India.
Prosecutors say the threats were retaliation for that assistance.

Cross-Border Law Enforcement Response

Canadian authorities received the initial complaint from the victim.
They shared information with U.S. federal agencies.

The FBI led the investigation in coordination with Canadian officials.
This cooperation resulted in a federal indictment in the United States.

The case shows how cross-border crimes trigger joint responses.
Authorities stress that location does not shield offenders from prosecution.

What This Means for Immigrants and Families

For immigrants, the case sends a clear message.
Threats made across borders still carry serious legal consequences.

Law enforcement agencies increasingly share intelligence and evidence.
This reduces safe havens for intimidation and harassment.

Experts say cooperation has improved but remains complex.
Jurisdiction, extradition, and digital evidence still pose challenges.

Still, officials believe international partnerships are strengthening.
They aim to protect victims regardless of where threats originate.

Kashechewan First Nation Plans Evacuation After Water System Failure

Kashechewan First Nation in northern Ontario is preparing for a large-scale evacuation.
Community leaders say the local water treatment and wastewater systems have failed.

The remote First Nation is located along the western coast of James Bay.
Officials say the situation has reached a critical point.

Water Treatment System Breaks Down

The community’s water system shut down after water levels dropped dangerously low.
The shutdown aimed to prevent permanent damage to aging infrastructure.

At the same time, wastewater systems began failing across the community.
Several sewage lift stations stopped working.

Raw sewage has backed up into homes and public buildings.
Leaders warn this creates serious health and safety risks.

The water and sewage systems are more than three decades old.
Officials say repairs are no longer reliable or sustainable.

Health Risks Grow for Residents

Without clean water, daily life has become extremely difficult.
Residents cannot bathe properly or wash clothes safely.

Health officials warn of increased infection risks.
The situation worsens due to a flu outbreak in the community.

Nursing staff report strong sewage odours inside the health clinic.
Leaders say these conditions are unsafe for vulnerable residents.

Evacuation Plans Expand Rapidly

Community leaders initially planned to evacuate only high-risk residents.
This included elders and people with health conditions.

As conditions worsened, leaders expanded evacuation plans.
They now hope to relocate most of the community’s population.

Flights have already transported some residents to northern Ontario cities.
Additional flights are being arranged with provincial and federal support.

Emergency agencies and Indigenous Services are coordinating logistics.
Officials say timing depends on aircraft availability and weather.

A Long History of Water Challenges

Kashechewan has faced repeated water emergencies for decades.
Past evacuations followed contamination and flooding events.

Community leaders say these problems reflect long-term infrastructure neglect.
They continue to call for permanent, modern water solutions.

For now, evacuation remains the safest option.
Leaders stress that clean water is a basic human need.