TORONTO, Sep 9: Punjabi singer and actor Ammy Virk escaped unhurt after a vehicle travelling as part of his concert convoy came under gunfire in Abbotsford, British Columbia, following his performance in the Canadian city, local media reported.
The shooting took place shortly after 11 pm on September 5, following Virk’s concert at the Rogers Forum. Canadian media outlets Vancouver Sun and Abbotsford News reported the incident, citing officials from the Abbotsford Police Department.
Abbotsford Police Sergeant Paul Walker said officers received information that a vehicle travelling in the 2500 block of McCallum Road had been fired upon by occupants of another vehicle.
“Preliminary information indicates that individuals in a dark-coloured SUV fired multiple shots at the victim vehicle,” Walker said.
Police did not identify the occupants of the targeted vehicle or provide details about who may have been responsible for the shooting. However, authorities confirmed that no injuries were reported.
Soon after the shooting, police officers were called to another incident involving a vehicle fire. They found an SUV completely engulfed in flames, according to Walker.
The AbbyPD Major Crime Unit has taken over the investigation and is examining the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Investigators are also trying to establish the motive and determine whether the vehicle fire was connected to the earlier gunfire.
“Early indications suggest that this incident was targeted,” Walker said.
Indo-Canadian media outlet The Voice reported that the vehicle struck by gunfire was part of Virk’s concert convoy. The report did not indicate that the singer himself was inside the targeted vehicle at the time of the incident.
Virk is currently travelling across Canada and the United States as part of a multi-city concert tour.
The incident has drawn attention because of Virk’s prominent profile in Punjabi music and cinema. Born Amninderpal Singh Virk, he has established himself as a singer and actor, with appearances in popular Punjabi films including Angrej, Qismat and Laung Laachi.
He later expanded his career into Hindi cinema, making his Bollywood debut with Bhuj: The Pride of India. He subsequently appeared in films including 83, Bad Newz and Khel Khel Mein.
Police continue to investigate the shooting and have not publicly disclosed whether any suspects have been identified or arrested.