IBNS-CMEDIA: A 30-year-old Punjabi taxi driver was shot dead in the Canadian city of North Battleford, Saskatchewan, in a case that police have classified as a homicide, with two 19-year-old men later charged in connection with the killing.
The victim, identified as Devinder Singh, was originally from Daulatpura Neewan village in Punjab’s Moga district and had moved to Canada about four years ago to join his wife, according to media reports.
Singh worked as a driver with a local taxi service while also helping run a café with his wife.
Police said the shooting occurred early Friday morning outside a motel in North Battleford.
As reported by The Times of India, Singh had arrived at the motel to pick up a woman passenger when a man who was chasing her allegedly opened fire. The gunman was reportedly aiming at the woman, but the bullet struck Singh, fatally injuring him.
According to investigators, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) received a report around 7:45 a.m. about an injured man in a parking lot near a business along the Highway 16 bypass.
Officers responding to the scene found Singh with serious injuries, and paramedics later declared him dead at the scene.
The Saskatchewan RCMP’s Homicide Investigation Unit subsequently took over the investigation.
In a statement cited by Canadian media outlet CJME News, police said two 19-year-old men from North Battleford were arrested at the scene and later charged in connection with the death.
One suspect faces charges including first-degree murder, forcible confinement, assault with a weapon and pointing a firearm, while the second suspect faces charges including manslaughter and forcible confinement.
Authorities said both accused were scheduled to appear before the North Battleford Provincial Court as the investigation continues.
Community reaction
The killing has shocked members of the local community and Singh’s family in India.
According to relatives quoted by The Times of India, Singh had received a call from a woman requesting a ride from the motel earlier that morning. His cousin, Gurjant Singh, said the driver was waiting in his taxi when the woman ran out of the building and the gunman opened fire.
The taxi company Singh worked for described him as a hard-working driver who served the local community daily.
As reported by battlefordsNOW, the company temporarily shut down its taxi services for the day following the incident as a mark of respect for the driver and his family.
Investigation ongoing
Police have not publicly disclosed a motive for the shooting or clarified whether Singh was intentionally targeted.
Investigators continue to gather evidence and interview witnesses as the homicide probe progresses.
The incident has also renewed concerns about the safety of taxi drivers, many of whom work alone and respond to calls in unfamiliar locations, often late at night or early in the morning.
(Reporting by Suman Das)
