Peel Regional Police have identified a Brampton man who died in hospital after he was shot several times in a Mississauga parking lot this week in what investigators believe was a targeted shooting.
Harjeet Dhadda, 51, was approached by suspects shortly before noon on Wednesday and shot in a lot near Tranmere Drive and Telford Way, police said in a news release on Friday. The area is near Toronto’s Pearson International Airport.
When officers arrived, they found Dhadda with “obvious signs of trauma,” police said in a scrum following the shooting. Emergency personnel performed CPR before rushing him to a local hospital, where he later died.
Police said in the release that the shooters fled the scene in a stolen black 2018 Dodge Challenger, which officers have recovered. Police released a photo of the vehicle on Friday.
Const. Michelle Stafford, spokesperson for Peel police, said in the scrum: “At this point we believe this to be an isolated incident and there is no threat to public safety.”
On the social media platform LinkedIn, Dhadda is described as a commercial insurance broker.
According to social media posts from his children, Dhadda had received threats in recent years, which were reported to police.
The victim’s daughter, who identifies herself as Gurlin Dhadda on Instagram, said in an Instagram post on Thursday that she wants justice for her father.
“For the past few years, my father was receiving repeated threat and extortion calls. In April 2023, we even faced a possible attack. We reported these threats to the police. We begged for protection. But our cries for help went unanswered. The system that was supposed to keep us safe, failed him,” she said in the post.
“Despite clear signs of danger, no security was provided by police. No meaningful action was taken. And now an innocent man is gone,” she added.
“Our community is grieving, but we are also outraged. We ask: What is the government doing about rising extortion and targeted violence? Why are innocent people left defenceless while the threats grow louder? When the authorities fail to protect us, what options do we have?”
Gurlin, who supplied a photo of her father to CBC Toronto, said his death is a deep personal loss. She described him as the backbone of their family and the local Sikh community.
The victim’s son, who identifies himself as Tanveer Singh Dhadda, called on political leaders to take a hard look at the laws in Canada.
“My father did not deserve this. He was not involved in anything criminal. He lived an honest life. Yet, those who came to harm him were armed with illegal weapons, operating with complete disregard for the law and seemingly without fear of consequences,” he said.
“We trusted the authorities to protect us, but they have failed. Our office is located near the airport in an area known for a high police presence yet still, my father was gunned down in broad daylight. If such a violent act can take place here, what safety do everyday citizens truly have?”
Both adult children said in their posts that their father was a respected member of the community, a devoted father, a hard working businessman and a Canadian resident since 1997.
“He went beyond to help each and every person,” Tanveer said in one post.
Peel police said in an email on Saturday that they are aware of “unverified information currently circulating in the media” about the homicide.
“Please be assured that our investigators are actively and thoroughly examining every aspect of this case. As with any investigation, we are committed to following the facts and upholding the integrity of the investigative process,” police said in the email.
“To protect the integrity of the investigation, we will not be sharing any further details at this time.”
Police did not say if they had received reports about threats against Dhadda.
In the release, police said they urge the public to “refrain from speculation” because the investigation is active and officers will examine all potential leads.
Peel police Chief Nishan Duraiappah has said that police noticed a “disturbing” trend in late 2023 in which business owners were becoming the victims of extortion attempts for large sums of money under the threat of violence. Many of the business owners targeted were South Asian.
In response to the threats, police set up the Peel Regional Police Extortion Investigative Task Force (EITF), a team made up of investigative and intelligence units supported by tactical teams. The task force has launched investigations, made arrests, laid charges and seized guns, drugs and stolen vehicles.
Anyone with information is being asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers.
