1 shot outside wedding at B.C. Sikh temple

Mounties in Surrey, B.C., are investigating a shooting in the parking lot of one of the largest Sikh temples in North America during a wedding.

Police were called to the Guru Nanak temple near 72nd Avenue and Scott Road at about 12:40 p.m. PT Saturday after reports of several gunshots.

Insp. Steve Wade, watch commander for the Surrey RCMP, said one man was wounded and taken to hospital. The victim was shot once and the injury was minor, he said.

Police identified a suspect but no one has been arrested, he said. The suspect's name has not been released, but Wade said the person does not have a criminal record.

He also said it's not believed the shooting was random or a result of anything happening at the wedding.

"It's very sad that this kind of thing happens … anywhere [but] it's very sad that it happens at a place of worship," Wade said.

"There's people here that are here for worship, they're here for celebration … they're not here to be involved in acts of violence and that's an insult against the people here."

Witnesses said an argument broke out between two people at the wedding, who were believed to have a long-standing feud.

Officials at the temple denounced the violence and also said it was likely fuelled by a feud.

"As far as we understand, it was a personal dispute that unfortunately found its way into the Gurdwara parking lot," said a release by the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Society.

"This event or the individuals involved have no connection with this Gurdwara, and the Gurdwara strongly condemns this and every act of violence."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.