The president of a Sikh temple in Surrey, B.C., who advocated for a Sikh state independent of India, was found murdered in his vehicle outside in the parking lot after evening prayers at his place of worship.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent member of the Sikh community, was fatally shot in what police have said is a targeted and deliberate killing, just before 8:30 p.m. local time on June 18, soon after prayers ended at the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara, a local temple.
The attack occurred as Nijjar was leaving the temple, alone in his pickup truck, in what Surrey RCMP Assistant Commissioner Brian Edwards said was a “brazen” and “appalling” murder.
Edwards said police were still investigating possible motives, and called on the community to help police in their investigation as they search for suspects.
“We’re not going to let people come into this community and do these things anywhere, let alone in a house of worship,“ said Edwards. ”We’re not going to stand for it.”
“Everybody who’s a witness comes forward. Everybody who has dashcam video. Everybody who hears something comes together, and we bring it forward to advance the investigation.”
Sgt. Tim Pierotti of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team said investigators are aware that Nijjar’s death has led to community speculation about the motive for the killing.
Nijjar said he was innocent and strongly denied allegations of terrorism.
B.C. Premier David Eby expressed shock at the death. “Like many people in Surrey and many British Columbians, I’m profoundly disturbed that somebody was murdered in our community on the grounds of a place of worship in front of many witnesses,” said Eby on June 19.
After the murder, with RCMP vehicles still present, a large group gathered outside the temple, chanting in Punjabi, “Long live Khalistan,” “We want a separate Khalistan,” and “Death to India.”
In a news release on June 19, the World Sikh Organization of Canada alleged the killing of Nijjar was an “assassination.”
