Candle light vigil for slain Surrey man on Friday

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: Gary Bassi was found dead in the driver’s seat of his car at a Surrey Park.

By Salim Jiwa

SURREY, B.C. – (Update) Family members and friends of slain Surrey man Gary (Gurpreet) Bassi, 23, are planning a candle light vigil in his memory this Friday.

Bassi was found dead in his car parked on a gravel lot at Surrey Lake Park on Monday.

Bassi is being mourned by dozens of his family members and friends on the social networking site Facebook.

Police found Bassi slumped in the driver’s seat of his car.

Hundreds of friends have sent their remembrance to the Facebook page and now family members are asking them to join in on the Friday vigil.

“In memory of Gurpreet (Gary) Bassi, we will be gathering outside of Tamaniwis Park (The backside of the school on the hill or Tammy cage) on Friday October 30th, 2009 at 6:00 pm.” said an announcement by a family member.

“We apologize for the short notice, but this was never expected and we hope you can all understand. Please bring with you words of inspiration, lovable memories, and finally your hearts– as this is what Gary would want. Take care and hope to see all of you come out and participate in this tribute for his life…”

The location is: 12500 block of 64th Ave @ 6pm

Text messages were sent out to more than 1,200 people and already dozens have accepted.

Cpl. Lea-Anne Dunlop said Bassi was known to police but she did not provide specifics of any criminal activity.

“Bassi is known to police and police believe this to be a targeted incident. The investigation is active and ongoing at this time. Currently there are no confirmed links to gang or organized crime activity but investigators are exploring that as a possibility, along with all other possibilities,” Dunlop.

Police are looking for help in tracking down a time-line of when he was last seen alive in a bid to determine the time of death and his movements.

A Facebook page dedicated to his memory was filled with outpourings of grief from former and current students from Vancouver and Surrey schools as well as members of his family.

“I find it very hard to believe that you have gone, everything seems so strange and surreal, just not sumthin we wanna believe,” said Preet Bassi.

“We miss you so much Bro , more than words can ever say, our precious memories of you are gonna stay with us forever You had so much to look forward to and so much left to do, But God needed somebody in heaven who is as special as you,” she wrote.

“Gary was our beloved brother, who we lost in a tragic death. Our big brother will never be forgotten but always loved. He will always be in our hearts and on our minds. We love you Gary,” said Suprina Bassi from Princess Margaret Secondary who created the page.

Teenu Bassi, a brother, said: “Looked up at the sky today and wondered why it was so beautiful, then i realized it’s cuz you’re up there…There were so many things that I wanted to say to you, but i guess god wanted to tell you something sooner. It’s true that the good die young..”

“What police need now is help from the public to determine how long the vehicle associated may have been parked at Surrey Lake Park,” police said in a statement.

“The vehicle, a 4 door 1992 White Honda Accord, was located by police on Monday October 26th and a number of people have now been interviewed leading investigators to believe the vehicle may have been at Surrey Lake Park for a number of days,” she said.

It is not clear if anyone had reported Bassi missing.

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