A Surrey Provincial Court judge has sentenced Abhijeet Kingra to nearly five years in prison for his role in a 2024 extortion-related shooting and arson targeting a Surrey home. According to court records, Kingra pleaded guilty on July 6 to charges of discharging a firearm at a residence and committing arson. The offences stem from an Aug. 10, 2024 incident in which a home belonging to a person who had reportedly received extortion threats was shot at and set on fire. The court imposed a two-year sentence for arson and a sentence of four years, 10 months and 19 days for the shooting offence. T

Burnaby RCMP are asking for the public's help as they investigate a reported sexual assault that occurred in the city's Metrotown area last week. According to police, the incident happened at about 11:30 p.m. on July 9 near Royal Oak Avenue and Beresford Street. Investigators said the victim was walking alone when an unidentified man approached her from behind and sexually assaulted her. The suspect fled the area after the victim called 911. Officers searched the neighbourhood but were unable to locate him. Police said a second suspicious incident was reported about 30 minutes later near Beres

Two people were killed and one person was seriously injured after a helicopter crashed in a remote area of Vancouver Island on Tuesday morning. According to West Coast Helicopters, the crash occurred at approximately 6:15 a.m. in the Loughborough Inlet area, where the aircraft was supporting forestry operations. The company said the victims have been identified as pilot Riley Brown and forestry worker Bobby Novak. The third occupant survived the crash and was taken for medical treatment with serious injuries. Their identity has not been released. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has t

Forestry company Canfor has announced it will permanently close its Northwood pulp mill in Prince George, a decision that is expected to affect approximately 300 employees. According to a company news release, the closure is driven by ongoing financial losses, a shortage of economically viable fibre supply, and continued weakness in global pulp markets. Canfor said an oversupply of pulp and a significant decline in market prices have created sustained challenges for the sector. The company said the Northwood pulp mill will cease operations by the end of the fourth quarter of 2026. The closure

A 35-year-old West Vancouver man is facing multiple charges in connection with a series of alleged residential break-ins and related property crimes in the Northgate neighbourhood, according to West Vancouver Police. Police said the investigation stems from incidents reported on April 23, when officers received complaints of residential break-ins, thefts from vehicles and the unauthorized use of a stolen credit card. Investigators later arrested Louis Muelfarth in connection with the case. He was released on April 25 on conditions, including a requirement to appear in court on July 15. Accordi

Vancouver police have confirmed that a 30-year-old woman has died after suffering critical injuries in an e-scooter crash earlier this month. According to the Vancouver Police Department, the collision occurred on July 3 near Commercial Drive and Venables Street. Investigators said the woman was travelling on Venables Street when her e-scooter struck the side of a vehicle. She was thrown onto the roadway and sustained a serious head injury. Police said she was conscious when taken to hospital but died on Saturday. In a separate incident, a 54-year-old woman riding an e-scooter was injured Sund

Prince George RCMP say 40 people have been arrested and more than $3,400 worth of stolen merchandise recovered during a targeted enforcement operation aimed at retail theft across the city. According to RCMP Media Relations Officer Cpl. Jennifer Cooper, officers carried out the "Boost and Bust" project in partnership with retailers including Pine Centre Mall, Parkwood Place, Walmart and Real Canadian Superstore. Police said the operation focused on addressing shoplifting and related criminal activity. RCMP also conducted a series of traffic stops at locations throughout the city during the enf

A 45-year-old man is feared drowned after falling into Okanagan Lake while riding an inflatable tube being towed behind a boat, according to West Kelowna RCMP. Police said the incident happened Saturday afternoon when the man lost his balance and fell into the water. Investigators said he was not wearing a life jacket and struggled to stay afloat after entering the lake. According to RCMP, the boat operator jumped into the water in an attempt to rescue the man but was unable to reach him. The operator was later rescued by another boater who was passing through the area. A dive team has been de

Vancouver Police are asking the public for information after a man was allegedly assaulted without provocation while waiting at a bus stop in the Marpole neighbourhood last week. According to a Vancouver Police Department news release, the incident occurred at about 9:25 a.m. on July 7 near Southwest Marine Drive and Ash Street. Investigators say the victim was waiting for a bus when a man approached from behind, pushed him and pulled the headphones from his head. Police allege the suspect then struck the victim several times with a longboard-style skateboard. The victim was able to flee the a