Murder investigators released on Monday afternoon a description of the man who shot and killed prominent Richmond-based developer Amarjit Singh Sandhu on Saturday evening.
Sandhu was shot to death in the parking lot of Coppersmith shopping centre, as shoppers and restaurant diners bore witness to a brazen targeted shooting in broad daylight.
According to a male witness, who wished to remain unnamed, Amarjit Singh Sandhu, 56, was killed while standing next to his black pick-up truck by a man with an average build, light brown skin and some facial hair, wearing a hoodie and sunglasses.
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) told media today (Monday) that they're looking for a male in his early to mid 20s, approximately six-feet tall, of slim/slender build, who was wearing a grey or light grey coloured hoodie or coat, medium to dark coloured pants and possibly wearing a baseball cap.
IHIT is asking anyone with information about the murder to contact the IHIT tipline at 1-877-551-4448, or if you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crimestoppers.
The male witness told the Richmond News on Sunday that he, his wife and young child were parked three spaces over in the parking lot in front of Tim Hortons.
The suspect pulled out a gun with a silencer attachment and shot at Sandhu. The witness said he heard at least six shots that sounded like a paintball gun.
According to the witness, Sandhu may have been in the coffee shop with another person, described as a friend. The Vancouver Sun also reported Sandhu was with a “friend,” at the time, just after performing some charity work in Downtown Vancouver.
However, when Sandhu was shot, the witness said he didn't see the friend make any effort to help him, even after the shooter took off in a waiting truck.
“He (the friend) walked around the parking lot, then reached into the truck and grabbed some papers...,” said the witness, who added that the victim's friend was spotted talking to police shortly afterwards.
Sandhu laid on the ground bleeding for "about 10 minutes" before police and paramedics arrived, said the witness. Perhaps fearing a second round of gunfire, the witness said no one approached his body in the intervening moments, although he said he heard one woman say he wasn’t breathing.
Richmond RCMP initially investigated the shooting scene, as Sandhu was taken away in an ambulance to Richmond Hospital shortly after 6 p.m.
Twitter account @ScanBC reported the man had CPR performed on him at the scene of the shooting. Nearing midnight, Richmond RCMP issued a statement to report that the Sandhu had succumbed to his injuries.
Sandhu is a prominent developer in Richmond and politically active, as he’s a regular contributor to local politicians’ election campaigns.
He and his company, Sandhill Development Ltd., donated $2,250 to Mayor Malcolm Brodie’s 2014 campaign. Via Kistmet Farms Ltd. Sandhu, as sole proprietor, also donated $1,000 to Richmond Community Coalition councillors Ken Johnston and Chak Au. Via SSB Homes Ltd. and Sandpak Ventures Inc. he also donated $3,000 to Richmond First councillors Linda McPhail, Bill McNulty and Derek Dang.
The Voice Online, an Indo-Canadian news outlet, stated Sandhu was very active in Vancouver’s Ross Street Gurdwara politics and that he was "vehemently" opposed the current executive of the gurdwara.
The Sun reported that in 1986 Sandhu, then a member of the International Sikh Youth Federation (now deemed a terrorist organization), was charged with conspiring to murder a visiting Punjabi cabinet minister. Sandhu became a Crown witness against four Sikh men who carried out the failed assassination attempt on Vancouver Island. The charge was dropped because authorities (CSIS) illegally used a wiretap to gather evidence.
Sandhill Development Ltd. has been listed in numerous civil claims on BC Court Services Online, over the past decade. The firm developed Sands Plaza at No. 5 Road and Steveston Highway.
IHIT has taken charge of the investigation, which marks Richmond's first reported homicide investigation of 2016. Police have not stated any possible motive during the early stages of the investigation.
Sgt. Jennifer Pound, of IHIT, issued a statement on Sunday morning.
“There is an extra element of concern when one chooses to commit this crime in such a bold and brazen manner in a very public setting,” said Pound.
No arrests have been announced.
The crime scene resulted in numerous vehicles being placed behind a police line overnight, temporarily stranding the shoppers at the strip mall, adjacent to Ironwood Plaza.
They were left to gaze at Sandhu’s Nissan pick-up truck riddled with bullet holes in front of the coffee shop.
When the Richmond News arrived on the scene, police could be seen assisting shoppers with rides home. At the time no one said they saw the shooting take place, only that there was a large commotion in the parking lot thereafter.
Eight police cars and an ambulance were at the scene by around 6:45 p.m. Officers cordoned off a large area of the parking lot and many businesses were forced to shut down early.
The News learned from two patients/visitors at Richmond Hospital that the facility was on lockdown for about two hours.
The News initially erroneously reported the friend had left the scene. Only the shooter did, according to the witness who clarified his statement for the News on Monday.
