File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By James Peters

Homicide

RCMP identify homicide victim found in Tk’emlups parking lot as 18-year-old man

Feb 3, 2022 | 3:10 PM

KAMLOOPS — RCMP are releasing the identity of a man found dead in a parking lot on the Tk’emlups Reserve last weekend in an effort to move their investigation forward.

In a news release, Cst. Crystal Evelyn says the victim was 18-year-old Jagraj Dhinsa.

Ambulance attendants called RCMP to a parking lot off Chilcotin Road at about 8:00 a.m. on Saturday (Jan. 29). There they found Dhinsa dead, having suffered obvious injuries. Evidence at the scene linked Dhinsa to a black 2014 Honda Accord found on Dallas Drive near Lafarge Road.

Investigators confirm Dhinsa was the victim of a homicide.

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“Police are revealing Jagraj Dhinsa’s name to further the developing investigation,” said Insp. Brent Novakoski, Southeast District Senior Investigating Officer of the BC RCMP Major Crime Section. “We are asking anyone who had contact with Mr. Dhinsa on Jan. 28 or 29, or who has information that may help investigators in determining Mr. Dhinsa’s activities and whereabouts leading up to his death, to please contact police as soon as possible.”

Evelyn says numerous officers have been working the case since Dhinsa’s body was found, and the B.C. Coroners Service is conducting a parallel investigation.

“In investigations like this, early tips and information from the public can be crucial,” added Insp. Novakoski. “We are reaching out to the public and asking them to please provide us with any video surveillance, cellphone or dash-cam footage in the Chilcotin Road area to Lafarge Road at Dallas Drive in Kamloops from the afternoon of Jan. 28 until the morning of Jan. 29.”

Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir says the discovery of the body came as a shock to her community.

“Our members were distressed with the major incident on our Indian Reserve and we appreciate the collaborative efforts to ensure that there was no immediate threat to those residing in the areas,” said Casimir. “Our condolences are with the family impacted by this tragic loss and our hope is that they get the answers they seek to honour his life.”

Anyone with further information to assist investigators is asked to call the Southeast District Major Crimes Unit at 1 (877) 987-8477.