SURREY (NEWS1130) – A man has been charged with second degree murder in the shooting death of a Surrey grocery store clerk on Christmas Day.

William Andrew Whiteside, 22, is charged with second-degree murder after Alok Gupta was gunned down at the store near 96th and 116th during a string of shootings in the city during the holidays.

Insp. Kevin Hackett says Gupta’s family and friends are relieved. “We’ve had continual contact with Mr. Gupta’s family who resides in India, our investigators have been speaking with them almost weekly.”

Whiteside was already in custody on other robbery charges when he was arrested back in late December.

Hackett says they expect to make more arrests in this case, “We do not believe that Mr. Whiteside acted alone, and I’m confident and hopeful that we will make additional arrests.”

The 27-year-old victim was going to Kwantlen University, and he took the day shift as a favour, so his boss could spend the day with his family.