Calgary Police Appeal for Public Assistance in Redstone Shooting Investigation
Calgary police are urgently seeking information from the public regarding a recent shooting incident in the northeast community of Redstone. Authorities believe this event is directly connected to a broader series of extortion cases that have been targeting South Asian groups across Canada.
Details of the Targeted Shooting Incident
The incident occurred on the evening of January 24, 2026, at approximately 11:30 p.m. in the 100 block of Redstone Common N.E. According to police reports, two masked individuals approached what investigators describe as an unoccupied residence and discharged multiple gunshots at the property. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during this alarming event.
Witnesses observed the suspects fleeing the scene on foot across a nearby field before entering a dark-colored sedan. Police have identified the vehicle as a Toyota Corolla with distinctive black rims, manufactured between 2003 and 2008. Investigators have collected surveillance footage from the area and confirmed this was a targeted attack.
Connection to Broader Extortion Pattern
This shooting represents part of a disturbing trend that Calgary police have been monitoring closely. Since the beginning of 2025, Calgary has experienced 21 confirmed extortion incidents, with 11 of these involving shootings. Despite extensive investigations, no arrests have been made in connection with these cases within the city.
Law enforcement officials have noted that these crimes typically begin with threatening communications—either through phone calls or online messages—demanding money under the threat of violence. Individuals displaying affluent lifestyles appear to be particularly vulnerable to these extortion attempts.
Community Engagement and Law Enforcement Response
In response to growing community concerns, Calgary Police Service leadership, including Deputy Chief Asif Rashid, recently participated in a town hall meeting with approximately 70 members of the city's South Asian community. Alberta Justice Minister Mickey Amery also attended this gathering, which aimed to address fears about the escalating violence.
During the meeting, Deputy Chief Rashid explained the challenges investigators face: "Our teams are working both locally, regionally and nationally, to investigate commonalities and similarities in where the offenders are located. The victims are here in Calgary, but it's believed that some of the offenders may be local, national, here in Canada, domestic, or even overseas in some cases."
National Coordination and Organized Crime Links
Calgary police are coordinating their efforts with multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and British Columbia authorities. These collaborative investigations have revealed connections to organized crime networks operating across major Canadian cities from Toronto to the West Coast.
Investigators have identified potential links to the Lawrence Bishnoi Gang, an organized crime group based in India. This international dimension adds complexity to the investigation, as Jeff Bell, who oversees criminal operations intelligence for CPS, acknowledged: "That's a difficult question to answer. If we knew... it'd be easy to go and tackle that."
The Calgary Police Service continues to encourage anyone with information about the Redstone shooting or related extortion attempts to come forward, emphasizing that public assistance is crucial to resolving these serious criminal matters.
