Family and friends are mourning Manbir 鈥淢ani鈥� Amar, who died after a dispute with a Surrey-area neighbour on Wednesday afternoon (Aug. 31).
鈥淢ani was a devoted father, brother, son and friend 鈥� a talented individual who devoted his life to activism and the arts,鈥� his brother, Gurbinder Amar, said in a statement released by Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) on Friday (Sept. 2).
鈥淭hrough poetry, prose, philosophy, painting, photography and filmmaking, Mani touched the lives of many individuals. He will be deeply missed.鈥�
IHIT says between two men , just before 2 p.m. Aug. 31.
A man was arrested on scene. 鈥淎t this time, no charges have been laid and the man has been released from custody as the investigation continues,鈥� the investigation team said Friday.
BREAKING: Surrey filmmaker/activist Mani Amar is the man killed in Newton yesterday, in a neighbourhood dispute. He won awards for his work, and once sought an actress to play Surrey murder victim Maple Batalia in a film he wanted to make.
鈥� Tom Zillich (@TomZillich)
STORY:
On social media, Amar鈥檚 friends and work colleagues reacted to his death with sadness.
鈥淢ani was instrumental in working with vulnerable youth to steer them away from gang life,鈥� tweeted . 鈥淚 consulted with him many times relating to our mentorship program. What a tremendous loss!鈥�
and followed it up with a fictional film about the same subject. The former Port Alberni resident won awards for his work, which included another documentary about drug-addicted people who live on Vancouver鈥檚 Downtown Eastside.
Five years ago, in 2017, , a dramatization of the final hours of her life, but it鈥檚 not clear if the movie was ever made.
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On the Now-Leader鈥檚 Facebook post, dozens of people commented about Amar and his work in the community.
鈥淢ani was a genuinely kind, generous, and giving soul,鈥� posted Jim Minhas. 鈥淗e was a full time dedicated father to his three young children and helped care for his mother whom lived with them. This is devastating news. He worked and volunteered to help the less fortunate and those who needed it. Will miss you brother鈥IP.鈥�
Added Raj Bassi: 鈥淩eally saddened at news about his death. This guy tried his best to keep kids out of gangs and trouble and actually cared about the community. RIP and condolences to his family and friends.鈥�
Another reader, Julie Hamilton, said Amar will be missed by many. 鈥淢ani was a kind, gentle, wonderful person. So shocking that a argument between neighbours could lead to this. Cannot believe.鈥�
IHIT won鈥檛 say if a weapon was used in the incident that led to Amar鈥檚 death, but Pierotti said no firearm was involved. 鈥淭ragically this situation escalated to a point where a life was taken,鈥� he said Thursday.
Investigtors ask any witnesses to contact the IHIT Information Line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
tom.zillich@surreynowleader.com
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