A fundraising effort is underway to pay funeral expenses for a 14-year-old Burnaby boy identified as the victim of a fatal shooting Monday night (Dec. 28) in Surrey.
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team is investigating after the teen was shot and killed in Guildford, a residential area. Around 7:30 p.m., police responded to an incident in the 11000-block of 148A Street where the victim was found “suffering from gunshot wounds,” according to a release from Surrey RCMP.
A GoFundMe page identifies the victim as Tequel Willis.
“Tequel Willis was like a brother to me,” reads a posting on the page. “He allowed me in his house and always gave me advice. He was one of the realest people I've ever met. He was always straight up even of the truth hurt. He was always riding out for his buddies and putting them before him.”
The goal of the campaign is to raise $5,000, according to the page, with $500 earmarked to film a music video in tribute to the victim.
A second GoFundMe page has also been set up by the victim's family.
“Most of us can’t begin to fathom that someone as young as 14 years old could be shot and murdered,” said Sgt. Elenore Sturko of the Surrey RCMP. “It’s very disturbing.”
IHIT Sgt. Frank Jang said the Burnaby teen had been driven to the area by taxi and that he died at the scene.
"No one else was harmed as a result of this incident and the taxi driver is cooperating with the investigation," said a news release from IHIT. "A dark sedan was seen quickly leaving the area after the shooting. At around 8 p.m., a vehicle on fire in the area of 214 Street and 76 Avenue was reported to the Langley RCMP. Investigators are working to determine if this vehicle is related to the Surrey homicide.
