Shootings of 3 people 'mistakenly targeted' last fall appear connected: Peel police

Peel Regional Police and the Ontario Provincial Police are asking for the public's help as they investigate three suspected homicides in residential neighbourhoods last fall — in which they say the victims were "mistakenly targeted."

Police say forensic evidence from the shootings, which took place between Nov. 7 and Nov. 20 last year in different locations in Peel Region, suggest the crimes are all connected.

At a news conference Thursday, Peel police homicide Insp. Todd Custance said the investigations into the "tragic events and senseless acts" are a priority. The forces also released pictures of the suspects and vehicles associated with the shootings.

"We are determined to find the answers to the questions we all have, and arrest the perpetrators responsible for these crimes," he said.

On. Nov. 15, Peel police say they responded to a homicide call in the area of Royal Windsor Drive and Winston Churchill Boulevard in Mississauga.

Police say two suspects in a blue Dodge Challenge vehicle approached a business, then shot and killed a Brampton man. They identified him as 29-year-old Jagraj Singh.

Police released photos of suspects and a car they say were involved in the Nov. 15 shooting. (Peel Regional Police)

"Investigators have determined that Mr. Singh was not the intended target and it was simply the wrong place at the wrong time," said Custance.

Days later, on Nov. 20, there was a shooting on Mayfield Road in Caledon, killing two and seriously injuring a third, who remains in hospital. Caledon OPP are investigating that shooting.

OPP Detective Inspector Brian McDermott said the locations of all the shootings "were deliberately targeted."

He said while the shootings bear "some similarities" to crimes involving extortion, they do not appear to be extortion-related.

The suspect in a shooting on Nov. 20, 2023 on Mayfield Road in Caledon allegedly used a black Dodge RAM 2500 pick-up truck. (Peel Regional Police)

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"Two lives were tragically cut short and one individual has suffered life-altering injuries," said McDermott. "Our thoughts grow to the families and friends of the victims."

Police haven't publicly identified the victims, but CBC Toronto has confirmed their identities. Jagtar and Harbhajan Sidhu, both 57, were killed in their home that day. Their daughter, Jaspreet Kaur Sidhu, survived the shooting.

A few days before the shooting, Peel police investigators visited the victims' home for an "unrelated lawful investigative purpose" and spoke with several people, including the victims, Custance said.

"At that time, the Peel Regional Police and the officers did not have any any reason to believe the residents of that home were in danger," he said.

McDermott said a possible suspect was seen entering an allegedly stolen black Dodge RAM 2500 pick-up truck, fleeing west on Mayfield Road.

The vehicle was allegedly taken on Nov. 14 near Mississauga Valley Voulevard and Arista Way in Mississauga.  Investigators are asking for help identifying a person of interest in that theft.

Police released this image of a person of interest in connection with an alleged stolen vehicle investigation in Mississauga. The black Dodge RAM 2500 pick-up truck was also involved in a vehicle fire on Olde Baseline Road and Creditview Road in the Town of Caledon on Nov. 20, 2023 they say. (Peel Regional Police)

Fatal shootings connected to 3 others in Peel Region

As part of their investigation, police say they're looking into three other shootings where no injuries were reported.

The first, on Nov. 7, took place near Cottrelle Boulevard and Thorndale Road in Brampton, where police say two people fired shots outside a home. Investigators believe they left the scene in a black Dodge RAM 1500 pick-up truck.

Police also released photos of suspects and a Black Dodge RAM pick-up truck connected with a shooting in the area of Cottrelle Boulevard and Thorndale Road in Brampton on Nov. 7, 2023. (Peel Regional Police)

The second happened on Nov. 11. Police said two suspects, dressed in black hooded sweatshirts, fired shorts at a residence in the area of Lorenville Drive and Elbern Markell Drive in Brampton. This time, police allege the suspects left in a burgundy Dodge RAM 1500 pick-up truck.

Peel Regional Police released pictures of two suspects and a vehicle associated with a shooting in Brampton near Lorenville and Elbern Markell drives on Nov. 11, 2023. (Peel Regional Police)

A few days later, on Nov. 14, police say someone shot at the same home from a inside a vehicle. Police said they fled in a late model silver Mazda 3 hatchback.

Police released these photos of a car allegedly used by suspects in a shooting near Lorenville and Elbern Markell drives on Nov. 14, 2023. (Peel Regional Police)

Police are asking anyone with information on the shootings, vehicles and suspects to contact investigators or submit a tip anonymously to Crime Stoppers.

"Your cooperation is vital to our efforts to bring these individuals to justice," said McDermott.