Table of Contents
- The Fatal Shooting of Dilraj Singh Gill
- Who Was Dilraj Singh Gill? A Profile in Gang Affiliation
- The Brothers Keepers and Their Rivals
- BC Gang Violence: A Growing Crisis
- Conclusion: A Community on Edge
- Sources
The Fatal Shooting of Dilraj Singh Gill
The quiet streets of Burnaby, British Columbia, were shattered on the evening of January 22, 2026, when a brazen, rush-hour shooting left 28-year-old Dilraj Singh Gill dead at a gas station parking lot . The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) quickly took over the case, classifying it as a targeted homicide linked directly to the province’s intensifying gang conflict [[3], [6]]. In a chilling detail that has become all too common, investigators found a torched vehicle nearby, a signature tactic used to destroy evidence and send a message . This wasn’t a random act of violence; it was a calculated execution, and the Dilraj Singh Gill shooting has sent shockwaves through the community.
Who Was Dilraj Singh Gill? A Profile in Gang Affiliation
Gill, a Vancouver resident, was no stranger to law enforcement. Authorities have publicly stated he had a known history of drug-related crimes and established links to organized crime groups [[4], [5]]. While police have not officially named the specific gang he was affiliated with, they have confirmed his group was in direct conflict with the notorious Brothers Keepers gang . This places him squarely in the crosshairs of one of the most violent and active criminal enterprises in British Columbia. His death is a stark reminder that individuals with these affiliations live in a world where past actions can have deadly, inescapable consequences.
The Brothers Keepers and Their Rivals
The Brothers Keepers have emerged as a dominant and ruthless force in BC’s underworld. This organized crime group, primarily composed of members of Punjabi-Canadian descent, is engaged in a wide range of illicit activities across Canada and internationally, including large-scale drug trafficking and extortion . The gang has been the subject of numerous high-profile investigations, with members receiving significant prison sentences for their crimes [[10], [13]].
The conflict between the Brothers Keepers and their rivals is a primary driver of the current wave of violence. This isn’t a new feud; it’s a long-standing, bloody battle for territory and control. Just days before Gill’s murder, on January 13, 2026, a high-ranking Brothers Keepers member, Naseem Ali Mohammed, was found dead in a burning house in Surrey, another grim chapter in this ongoing war . The Dilraj Singh Gill shooting appears to be a retaliatory strike or a strategic move within this complex and deadly rivalry.
BC Gang Violence: A Growing Crisis
Gill’s murder is not an isolated incident but a symptom of a much larger, systemic crisis. Since 2007, British Columbia has seen more than 200 gang-related homicides, many stemming from conflicts between rival Punjabi-Canadian gangs . The violence has evolved from the era of the Hells Angels to a more fragmented, yet equally dangerous, landscape dominated by these newer, highly mobile groups .
The provincial government has acknowledged the severity of the situation, calling the fight against gun and gang violence a “top priority” and committing to new resources, including a dedicated gang enforcement team for Northern BC [[19], [21], [23]]. However, the killing of a young man in broad daylight in a busy suburb like Burnaby demonstrates that these efforts are struggling to keep pace with the reality on the ground. The recent Maple Ridge shooting in August 2025 is another tragic example of this pervasive threat .
Conclusion: A Community on Edge
The Dilraj Singh Gill shooting is a tragic and terrifying event that highlights the deep-seated gang violence plaguing British Columbia. While Gill’s own history with crime complicates the narrative, his public execution in a civilian space is a direct threat to the safety and peace of mind of every resident. This is not just a criminal justice issue; it’s a public safety emergency that demands a multi-faceted response. As the conflict between the Brothers Keepers and their rivals continues to claim lives, the people of BC are left wondering if their communities will ever be free from this shadow of violence. For more on the broader context of organized crime in Canada, see our coverage on [INTERNAL_LINK:canada-organized-crime-trends].
Sources
- Times of India. “‘Had a history of drug-related crimes’: Dilraj Singh Gill shot dead in Canada, gang rivalry suspected.” https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/…
- Burnaby RCMP. “Victim identified in Burnaby shooting.” File # 2026-97.
- RED FM News. “Burnaby shooting investigated as targeted homicide; victim identified.” January 23, 2026.
- Global News. “Man shot, killed in Burnaby had connection to B.C. gang conflict, police say.”
- CTV News. “Police say man dead in ‘targeted’ shooting in Burnaby, B.C.”
- CBC News. “Deadly shooting at Burnaby gas station leaves one man dead.”
- Wikipedia. “Brothers Keepers (gang).”
- Province of British Columbia. “Confronting gang violence and organized crime is a top priority for government.” December 16, 2025.
- RCMP. “Three Guilty Pleas in CFSEU-BC’s Investigation into Brothers Keeper’s gang.” November 1, 2023.
- Global News. “Brothers Keepers gangster and alleged hitman found dead in Surrey house fire.” January 13, 2026.