Two suspects are now facing second-degree murder charges in connection with a fatal highway shooting that claimed the life of a 22-year-old Alberta man earlier this month.
Barinder Singh was traveling southbound on the QEII Highway near Leduc with two close friends on March 14 when he was shot in the neck during what RCMP described as a "senseless crime" at a Wednesday afternoon news conference.
Staff Sgt. John Brown said the tragic incident unfolded around 2:50 p.m. when a pickup truck pulled alongside Singh's black 2012 Honda Civic. According to investigators, there was a brief interaction between occupants of both vehicles, including what appeared to be a peace sign gesture directed at Singh's car.
"The victims in the vehicle assumed it was a peace sign and Singh returned the gesture, according to his friends who were also in the vehicle," Brown explained.
Moments later, shots were fired from the suspect vehicle, striking Singh in the neck. The pickup truck then sped away at high speed.
"Despite being shot, Barinder and his two friends were able to safely stop the vehicle. He died shortly after," Brown said.
A friend who was in the car with Singh, speaking anonymously due to safety concerns, described the desperate attempt to save his life.
"We tried to put pressure on his wounds and call 911. There was so much blood loss. I tried really hard but could not save him,"
the friend told Global News, expressing bewilderment at the random nature of the attack.
Police confirmed the two groups had no prior connection, making the shooting appear completely unprovoked.
Arrests and Charges
Jimmy Gassner, 18, of Lloydminster, was arrested March 21 in Canoe Lake, Saskatchewan. Police allege Gassner was a passenger in the truck and fired the fatal shots. He was already known to police for previous charges as a minor.
A second suspect, 23-year-old Deon Libsekil, was arrested March 26. Brown said Libsekil was also known to police and was already in custody on unrelated matters when the additional charges were laid.
Both men face charges of second-degree murder, with Libsekil also charged as an accessory after the fact. Libsekil has been remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear in court April 2.
The investigation remains ongoing as RCMP work to piece together the events that led to Singh's death on a busy Alberta highway.
This article is based on reporting by Chad Twair at Global Calgary.