EDMONTON — The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) has expressed deep concern and demanded a thorough investigation following the fatal shooting of a 22-year-old Sikh youth, Birinder Singh, near Leduc, Alberta, on March 14, 2026. A copy of the written release issued by the organization is available with Sikh Siyasat News (SSN).

According to the reports detailed in the release, Mr. Singh was travelling on Highway 2 when occupants of a pickup truck opened fire on his vehicle. The incident is being described as a brazen and apparently unprovoked daytime attack. Mr. Singh, who had recently moved to Edmonton to establish his life in Canada, succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

Highlighting a disturbing rise in anti-Sikh hate crimes across Canada, the WSO has officially called upon the Alberta RCMP Major Crimes Unit to investigate this fatal shooting as a potential hate-motivated crimse.

WSO President Danish Singh emphasized the need to look into the underlying motives of the attack.

“The facts surrounding Birinder Singh’s murder are deeply troubling. This appears to have been a sudden, unprovoked act of extreme violence,” Singh stated. “Given the current rise in anti-Sikh hate we are seeing, it is critical that investigators and the RCMP examine whether Birinder Singh was targeted because of his Sikh identity.”

The organization noted that the community is currently facing a dramatic increase in poisonous and hateful narratives. Singh pointed out that this dangerous rhetoric stems from both white nationalist groups promoting anti-immigrant hate and coordinated disinformation campaigns originating from India designed to vilify Sikhs in Canada.

“This environment has created real risks for our community. When communities are repeatedly targeted and demonized, it increases the likelihood of acts of violence such as this. This must be taken seriously by law enforcement and government,” he added.

In the wake of this tragedy, the WSO is urging anyone with information about the attack on Birinder Singh to immediately come forward to the authorities. Furthermore, the organization is calling on Sikhs across the country to remain vigilant and report every instance of hate to the police and through the WSO’s dedicated reporting portal to ensure perpetrators are held accountable.