'No one can fill up his shoes': Edmonton home builder killed in shooting remembered as community leader
The family of an Edmonton home builder who was fatally shot in south Edmonton on Monday says they're in shock over what happened.
Buta Singh Gill, owner of Gill Built Homes, and one other man were killed in the shooting at Cavanagh Boulevard and 30 Avenue SW around noon on Monday.
A witness told CTV News Edmonton she saw a man who was standing in the street pointing a gun into the driver-side window of a black car and she heard three shots.
The driver of the car, Sarbjeet Singh, who is an engineer and site supervisor at Gill Built Homes, is in hospital with serious, life-threatening injuries.
A spokesperson for Gill's family says Singh has had surgery and is in stable condition in hospital.
The family claims another witness who worked for Gill's company says the killer shot Gill in the back after wounding Singh.
He then fatally shot himself.
The homicide unit is investigating a shooting at Cavanagh Blvd SW and 30 Avenue SW in Edmonton on April 8, 2024. (Brandon Lynch/CTV News Edmonton)
According to the family, the shooter is a roofer who had done work for Gill's company in the past.
Family spokesperson Varinder Bhullar says Gill's death will leave a lasting mark on the community.
"No one can fill up his shoes. We'll try to walk on the path that he has paved for all of us. It's just too sad, heartbreaking," he said on Tuesday.
Bhullar said Gill came to Canada in 1991 and worked in a meat processing plant and for Edmonton Transit Service before starting his own company.
He described him as a loving father and grandfather who was dedicated to his community.
"This is a three-generational home where they're living, two beautiful grandkids. They were just born four months ago, and he was enjoying every moment with them. And this was his time to enjoy his life."
Bhullar says Gill's death is not connected to the ongoing extortions targeting South Asian homebuilders.
The Edmonton Police Service told CTV News Edmonton it's too early in the investigation to comment on any link to the extortion investigations.
Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi says he worked with Gill when they were both employed at ETS, and has maintained a relationship with him throughout the years.
"He was one of the volunteers as a leader in bringing the community together in various ways. So it is a devastating loss for the family and for the community," Sohi told reporters on Tuesday.
"We have lost not only a very successful business person, but we also lost a champion of the community."
EPS says it is not looking for any suspects in the case.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Nav Sangha
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING NEWS 'A horrible way to start the summer': 3 killed in serious boat crash on lake north of Kingston, Ont.
Three people were killed and five others were injured Saturday night following a boat crash on the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont., the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said.
Walmart, Costco refusing to sign grocery code of conduct 'untenable': industry minister
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says it's 'untenable' for 'smaller players' like Walmart and Costco to delay signing on to the government- and industry-led grocery code of conduct, now that industry giant Loblaw has agreed to do so.
Signs of Alzheimer’s were everywhere. Then his brain improved
Blood biomarkers of telltale signs of early Alzheimer’s disease in the brain of his patient, 55-year-old entrepreneur Simon Nicholls, had all but disappeared in a mere 14 months.
Ottawa driver who appeared to be racing another vehicle on Highway 416 facing charges
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says an Ottawa driver is facing charges after being caught going 187 km/h on Highway 416.
Helicopter carrying Iran's president suffers a 'hard landing,' state TV says without further details
A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi suffered a 'hard landing' on Sunday, Iranian state media reported, without immediately elaborating.
Diddy admits beating ex-girlfriend Cassie, says he's sorry, calls his actions 'inexcusable'
Sean "Diddy" Combs admitted Sunday that he beat his ex-girlfriend in a hotel hallway in 2016 after CNN released video of the attack, saying in a video apology he was "truly sorry" and his actions were "inexcusable."
The secret Italian lakes that most tourists don't know about
Italy has dozens of secret smaller lakes that boast superb scenery, unknown to mass tourism, where locals get together on day trips and enjoy picnics.
Residents evacuated after threats made to residence in Fall River, N.S.
Nova Scotia RCMP are warning the public to avoid the area around Canterbury Lane in Fall River after a threat was made at a residence.
VIDEO Born without front legs, this dog has been inspiring the world for 3 years: Dresden farm owner
A sanctuary dedicated to animals with disabilities is celebrating the third birthday of one of its most popular residents.