Homicide team investigating shooting in Surrey that left one dead

SURREY, B.C. – A father, nurse and minor hockey coach has been identified as the victim of a fatal shooting Saturday afternoon in Surrey, B.C.

Paul Bennett, 47, was killed in what police believe was a targeted shooting, the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team said in a news release Sunday.

Surrey RCMP received numerous calls reporting the shooting at about 4 p.m., it said.

When officers arrived, they found a man with gunshot wounds who was taken to hospital, but died of his injuries.

“We are releasing Mr. Bennett’s name in an effort to determine his activities and who he may have had contact with leading up to the shooting,” IHIT spokesman Cpl. Frank Jang said in a statement.

“We need those with information about this murder to come forward and speak with IHIT.”

Marty Jones, president of the Cloverdale Minor Hockey Association, said he was shocked to learn of Bennett’s death from mutual friends Saturday night.

Jones said Bennett, who was a father to two boys, worked as a nurse and had devoted much of the past few years investing in the lives of the young boys and girls at the hockey association.

“He was always well liked at everything he did, there was an easiness to him and he was fun to be around,” Jones said.

“He’s going to leave a large hole in our hearts.”