In a shocking incident that has sent ripples through the community, a 28-year-old Punjabi man was gunned down in a brazen daylight shooting at a residence in Abbotsford, Canada. Authorities have identified the victim as Navpreet Dhaliwal, a resident known to police for his alleged involvement in the ongoing gang conflict in British Columbia.
The Brazen Midday Attack
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) reported that the shooting occurred on January 9. Police were called to the 3200 Block of Siskin Drive at approximately 12:38 pm following reports of gunfire. Upon arrival, officers found Dhaliwal inside the home with gunshot wounds. Despite immediate efforts by emergency paramedics, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
IHIT, in a strongly worded statement, described the incident as a "targeted and brazen shooting that took place in the middle of the day." Investigators were quick to connect the homicide to the wider gang violence plaguing British Columbia. However, they made a crucial distinction, stressing that this killing is not related to the recent spate of extortion-related violence targeting South Asian communities in the region.
The Abbotsford Police Department assured the public that this was an isolated incident linked to targeted individuals and poses no ongoing risk to general safety. As of January 12, no arrests have been made. Police are actively canvassing for video footage and have appealed to witnesses or anyone with CCTV or dash-cam recordings from the area of Blue Jay Street and Siskin Drive between 11 am and 1 pm on January 9 to come forward.
A History Known to Police
The investigation has revealed that the Siskin Drive residence was not unfamiliar to law enforcement. The property had been listed as surety during Dhaliwal's bail release in 2024. Dhaliwal had a significant criminal history, with police records alleging his involvement in drug trafficking and violent crimes.
His alleged activities came under intense scrutiny in late 2022. Abbotsford police launched an investigation targeting Dhaliwal and an associate, Anmol Sandhu, both identified as figures connected to the gang conflict. Subsequent searches in Abbotsford and Surrey led to major seizures, including:
- Nearly six kilograms of fentanyl
- Two kilograms of cocaine
- Heroin, methamphetamine, and morphine
- Firearms and large amounts of cash
This probe later expanded into Project High Table. By February 21, 2024, Dhaliwal and Sandhu were arrested and charged with two counts each of conspiracy to commit murder, alongside drug trafficking and firearms offences. A third individual, Gavinder Steven Siekham, was also charged with conspiracy to commit murder in the same case.
Strict Bail Conditions and Public Warning
Despite the serious charges, Dhaliwal and Sandhu were released on bail in mid-2024 under a set of exceptionally strict conditions. These included house arrest, electronic monitoring, a complete ban on weapons and cell phones, restrictions on social media use, and multiple no-contact orders. They were mandated to reside in West Abbotsford.
Citing a "significant risk to public safety," the Abbotsford Police took the unusual step of issuing a public notification on August 1, 2024. The notice informed local residents about the duo's release and urged the community to report any suspected breaches of their bail conditions—a move highlighting the perceived threat level associated with the individuals.
The investigation into Navpreet Dhaliwal's murder remains active and is being conducted by IHIT in collaboration with the Abbotsford Police Department and the BC Coroners Service. The case underscores the persistent and violent nature of the gang conflict within the province, even as authorities work to differentiate it from other criminal trends affecting the community.
