The three suspects in an early morning extortion-related shooting in South Surrey appeared in Surrey Provincial Court Thursday.
The trio — all foreign nationals — appeared via video in courtroom 108 Thursday morning (Feb. 5) for their first appearance related to the Feb. 1 Crescent Beach incident, where shots were fired and a small fire set outside a home near Crescent Road and 132 Street.
Clad in orange jumpsuits, the suspects — Harjot Singh, 21; Taranveer Singh, 19; and Dayajeet Singh Billing, 21 — spoke to the court with help from a translator. They have been charged with one count each of discharging a firearm into a place.
Police say the fire and shooting are believed to be extortion-related.
They were taken into custody in the early morning hours of Feb. 1, after Surrey Police Service officers patrolling in the Crescent Beach neighbourhood received the shots fired and fire reports around 3:50 a.m.
A suspect vehicle was found nearby, but the occupants had fled on foot. Shortly after, three suspects were taken into custody near 28 Avenue and 140 Street, after getting into a rideshare vehicle.
In the courtroom, members of the media sat ready to report on new information on the case on Thursday.
The judge heard from Crown counsel and two defense lawyers, as Taranveer Singh does not yet have a lawyer. He shared with the courtroom that he has applied for legal aid but does not yet have anyone.
Both Billing’s and Harjot Singh’s defense lawyers asked the judge for more time to connect with their clients, and both lawyers said they’d like more time to also, prepare for a bail hearing, which is likely to take a full day in court.
All three suspects will remain in custody until their next court appearance on Wednesday, Feb. 11 in the same courtroom.