Unsolved Murder: Homicide followed by vehicle fire, a classic script in Lower Mainland gang killings
22-year-old Hamza Fazil’s body found in vehicle near Bridal Falls two months ago
A vehicle fire. A dead body.
It’s a situation members of of both B.C.’s Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit and the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) know all too well.
Whether it’s a young man found inside a burnt-out vehicle or he’s killed in one place, a car set on fire somewhere else, it’s a classic gang hit script.
If no one is caught in the act and if, as is common, there isn’t much physical evidence left or anyone willing to rat on gangsters, chances are it’ll be unsolved forever.
Two months ago on July 27 at approximately 9 p.m. was the last time 22-year-old Hamza Fazil was seen in the 13300-block of Old Yale Road in Surrey. Known to police in that city, his parents reported him missing right away.
Police on Cheam Road near Bridal Falls early in the afternoon on July 28, 2025 at the scene of a vehicle fire late July 27. And at right, Hamza Fazil, 22, who was found dead inside the vehicle. Police believe his death is tied to B.C.'s ongoing gang conflict. (Paul Henderson/ RCMP photos)
Two hours later, just after 11:30 p.m. on July 27, fire crews and Agassiz RCMP officers attended to a report of a vehicle fire on Cheam Road in Popkum, just off Highway 1 and 200 metres from iconic Bridal Veil Falls.
Fazil was found deceased inside the vehicle prompting more RCMP officers from Agassiz and Chilliwack to attend. Criminality was suspected, which triggered IHIT’s involvement.
“Mr. Fazil had previous interactions with the police. Investigators believe this was a targeted incident with links to the B.C. gang conflict,” according to an IHIT news release issued Aug. 16 naming Fazil as the victim.
At that time, IHIT spokesperson Cpl. Sukhi Dhesi said they were looking to build at timeline of Fazil’s activities prior to the homicide.
“We would urge anyone with information about him or his activities in the days leading up to his death to contact investigators.”
Police say they believe it was a gang killing and mentioned that Fazil had previous interaction with police, however, he had no criminal charges, according to court service online. He does have several entries for recent violations of the Motor Vehicle Act, three of which are from late 2024 and for which hearings are listed as still scheduled for January, hearings that will now be abated.
Investigators are asking anyone with dash-cam footage from the areas of Cheam Road and Bridal Falls Road between 10 p.m. July 27 and 1 a.m. July 28 to contact the IHIT Information Line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
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Paul J. Henderson
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