Police identify suspect who allegedly lit B.C. shopkeeper on fire, say he may be travelling to Alberta

Police in Surrey have identified a man who appears to have set fire to a shopkeeper and stolen a car in the town last Friday and are warning the public that he is still on the run.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in Surrey announced in a news release on Friday that Khaled Yimmer is wanted for attempted murder. The force also added that the 33-year-old man "is believed to be in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia or traveling to Alberta."

Yimmer is a suspect in an investigation that began on August 2 with a horrific attack on a shopkeeper at an exchange in the Whalley area of ​​Surrey.

Shortly after the attack, witnesses described a man entering the store through a back door, dousing the man behind the counter with gasoline or another flammable substance and setting him on fire.

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Police later confirmed that what they initially described as only a "serious attack" involved the suspect throwing an "accelerating substance" at the victim and setting him on fire.

The victim suffered severe burns and was taken to the hospital.

The suspect stole a white Mini Cooper and fled the scene. Police said the day after the attack that they had found the car with the help of the public, but added that the suspect was still at large.

In an update Friday, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in Surrey identified Yimmer as a suspect and shared an old surveillance photo of the suspect along with another portrait-style photo of Yimmer.

Sergeant Sarjabit K. "Due to the severity of the incident on August 2, 2024, Khalid Yimmer is considered a violent and dangerous person, and the police are releasing an enhanced photo to find him and warn the public," Sangha said in the statement.

"If you have any information about the whereabouts of Khaled Yimmer or if you see him, do not approach him and call 911."

Police describe Yimmer as 5 feet 6 inches tall, with dark hair, brown eyes and a medium build.



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