A Sikh builder of Indian origin and head of a gurdwara was shot dead in Edmonton, Canada, on Monday.
The incident took place at a construction site believed to be linked to the business of Boota Singh Gill, owner of luxury home construction company Gill Built Homes.
“Southwest Branch patrol officers responded to a report of a shooting in the area of Cavanagh Boulevard SW and Cherniak Way SW,” Edmonton police said in their official statement, without officially identifying any of the victims.
“Upon police arrival, three injured sloths were located. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responded and determined that two men, a 49-year-old man and a 57-year-old man, were deceased and a 51-year-old man was seriously injured.
Officials said they are “not looking for any suspects” in the case as the homicide unit investigates the cause of the shooting. They did, however, issue an advisory asking residents to “avoid the area of Cavanagh Blvd SW and 30 Avenue SW” shortly after the fatal incident.
There are no immediate public safety concerns at this time and responding officers have secured the scene.
EPS homicide investigators will lead this investigation and no further details are available, Edmonton police added in their report.
Gill had previously reported receiving threats and extortion calls, which triggered an investigation by investigators, several Indian media reported.
Former city councilor Mohinder Banga told CBC that Gill, 49, had close ties to the city’s Punjabi community. “This guy helped everyone by getting out of his own way and suffering his own losses,” Mr. Banga said. “Why would anyone hurt him?”
“He was such a religious and helpful person, he would help whoever he could,” the councilor, who knew Gill, told the outlet.
The Indian government had previously raised concerns over extortion calls targeting people of Indian origin in Canada.
“It is a matter of concern… People who receive extortion calls, particularly Indian nationals, are a matter of grave concern,” the Ministry of Affairs spokesperson had said in January this year foreigners, Randhir Jaiswal.
He made the remarks during a press briefing as ties between the two countries were particularly strained after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said there were “credible allegations” of the involvement of Indian state in the murder of Canadian-Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India then rejected the allegations as absurd.
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