Woman shot in Surrey home believed to be first extortion-related injury of 2025, police say

A woman in her mid-20s was critically injured after being struck by gunfire during a drive-by shooting at a home in Surrey early Sunday morning — an attack police believe is linked to the city’s ongoing extortion crisis.

The Surrey Police Service (SPS) says the shooting happened just before 3 a.m. at a house in the 13000 block of 103-A Avenue.

According to Staff Sgt. Lindsey Houghton, a vehicle pulled up to the residence and opened fire before speeding away. Multiple people were inside at the time.

The victim — who police say was asleep when bullets pierced the home — received emergency medical care at the scene and was transported to hospital in critical condition. She has since been upgraded to stable condition.

“I believe it is the first injury related to one of our extortion-related shots fired so far in 2025,” Houghton said.

Surrey’s extortion crisis deepens

Police say the shooting marks a disturbing escalation in a string of extortion-related crimes targeting local residents and businesses, particularly within the South Asian community.

So far this year, Surrey police have recorded 56 extortion cases and 31 associated shootings.

Victims have reported receiving threats by letters, phone calls, text messages, or social media, often demanding money and warning of violence if payments aren’t made.

“The level of violence is certainly unacceptable to us and should be unacceptable to everybody,” said Houghton. “We’re working around the clock not only to prevent other incidents, but to identify the suspects.”

No arrests have yet been made in connection with Sunday’s shooting.

Reward and tip line

In response to the growing threat, Surrey has launched a dedicated extortion tip line and created a $250,000 reward fund for information leading to convictions — one of the largest police rewards in Canadian history, according to the SPS.

City officials say they hope the fund encourages people with knowledge of the crimes to come forward.

“Everyone has the right to live and work without fear,” the city said in a statement. “We need anyone with information to come forward before someone gets hurt or worse.”

Province steps in

The B.C. government has also announced a provincial task force to coordinate investigations and address the wave of extortion threats and shootings that have shaken South Asian communities across the Lower Mainland.

Police continue to urge anyone with information about Sunday’s shooting or related extortion attempts to contact investigators or Crime Stoppers.