A second-degree murder charge has been filed after a man was fatally shot in a Surrey home on Friday, according to homicide investigators. The Integrated Murder Investigation Team (IHIT) has identified the 48-year-old victim as Christopher Raymond Hartl. Police were called to a house at 97th Avenue and 126th Street in the Valley Valley on Friday afternoon, where they found Harlt suffering from gunshot wounds. He was taken to hospital but died of his injuries. The shooting is described by IHIT as an isolated incident with nothing to do with the Kato Sterea gang clash. The Surrey RCMP said two suspects escaped from the neighborhood on bicycles and were later located and arrested. On Saturday, police said the BC Prosecutor’s Office had approved a second-degree murder charge against 40-year-old Darren Ellis Scott. “We want to thank all our police partners for their swift action,” Sgt said. IHIT’s David Lee in a statement. “Although there are allegations, we will continue to gather evidence and speak to witnesses.” Investigators said they posted photos of Hartl in an effort to find additional witnesses. Residents in the Whalley neighborhood told CTV News Vancouver that the shooting was the latest incident in the home. “There is a problem in this house almost every other day,” said Sam Dular. “The city is not doing anything. The police are not doing anything. come here only if there is a problem. So what happened yesterday is very scary. “ Neighbors said police told them the house in question was half a house. “There are people who come from there, like, every month. “We have no idea who they are,” said Nav Athwal, another resident. Athwal said there have been uncontrolled thefts, harassment and unrest over the past three years. “We have seen so many police officers here, it does not bother us anymore,” he said. Dular was so tired that he started a report in July 2021 and started another one last January, asking the landlord to evict the tenants or find a solution. “No one is doing anything about it. “We, the neighbors, have to endure all this, you know, this mess here.” Dolar is concerned about escalating crime. “Many elderly people live around here, walking down the street. “Young children are playing in the street here – it is no longer safe,” he said. Anyone with information is kindly requested to contact the IHIT Information Line: 1-877-551-IHIT (4448).
