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Police warn of danger from violence as gang tensions rise

Members of Dhak and Duhre gangs being targeted by rival gangsters
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Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit Supt. Tom McCluskie.


Police are issuing an unusual warning that members of the Dhak and Duhre gangs are being targeted by rival gangsters and anyone close to them could be caught in the crossfire.

"There's a lot of tensions between the gangs right now," Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit Supt. Tom McCluskie said Tuesday.

"If you are associating, if you're hanging around or if you're family or even friends of the Dhaks or the Duhres, you are in danger."

The warning was issued after a shooting in Surrey Friday night critically injured Jujhar Singh Khun-Khun, a member of the Dhak group that's believed to be allied with the Duhres and United Nations gang against other crime groups, including the Hells Angels.

"The shooting Friday night took place on a city street where any member of the public could have easily been caught in the crossfire," McCluskie said.

CFSEU Sgt. Bill Whalen said investigators believe it's "quite possible" but not certain that the Surrey shooting is linked to the Kelowna shooting incident last month that killed Jonathan Bacon and wounded two other people, including a prominent Hells Angel.

There are now more than 80 officers working on a special task force investigating the Kelowna and Surrey shootings, as well as generally elevated gang tensions in the Lower Mainland.

McCluskie said officers have also given specific individual warnings of the danger to several members or people associated with the targeted crime groups.

It's the first time in at least two years police have issued a specific warning that gang violence could be imminent in the Lower Mainland.

It has happened at least once previously when officers warned that the Bacon group was being targeted and anyone nearby could be at risk.

McCluskie said members of the public aren't specifically targeted, but noted more attacks could happen anywhere.

"These guys don't care where it is. They have no regard whatsoever for the safety of the public."