June 13,2025
RED FM News Desk
A Surrey businessman linked to two recent extortion-related shootings is organizing a public safety forum in response to growing concerns in the community. Satish Kumar, a member of the organization S.H.I.E.L.D. (Stopping Harmful Intimidation & Extortion through Discussion), is hosting the group’s second public safety forum this Sunday at Reflections Banquet Hall (6638 152A St.). Doors open at 1:30 p.m., and the forum will begin at 2 p.m.
Surrey Police reported on Friday (June 13) that there have been 10 extortion cases in Surrey over the past six months. According to police, victims—often from the South Asian community—have been contacted via phone, letter, or social media, with demands for money accompanied by threats of violence. Kumar has recently been targeted himself. Two businesses currently or formerly linked to him were shot at following a series of extortion calls he received in recent months. Police are also investigating two separate shootings at a Panorama Ridge home on May 13 and May 25 as part of the same extortion pattern. Kumar believes the fatal shooting of Abbotsford resident Satwinder Sharma in Surrey is also tied to these extortion cases.
The upcoming forum is open to the public and will be conducted in both English and Punjabi. Attendees are expected to include Mayor Brenda Locke, MLA Gary Begg, MP Sukh Dhaliwal, and officers from Surrey Police and the RCMP’s Provincial Operations Support Unit.
Kumar’s own venue, Reflections Banquet Hall, was hit by gunfire in the early hours of June 7. Days later, on June 9, another business in Newton was also targeted, although Kumar sold that location a few years ago. He believes someone local is leaking information to the criminals. Kumar said the threats began on May 28, when he received a call demanding $2 million and warning of violent consequences. Repeated threats followed, including death threats against him and his family. On June 7, the caller sent him a video of the banquet hall shooting. After confronting the extortionists on June 10, Kumar says he remains unafraid and is determined to host the forum to create awareness and give the community a space to speak up.
Kumar is also the president of the Lakshmi Narayan Mandir Temple.
Loading ...
