TORONTO, Jan 7: A high-profile member of Muslim community in Canada was gunned down in Surrey near Vancouver, police said on Monday night.

Riasat Ali Khan, 69, who built the first mosque in the Vancouver area in 1964, was shot dead as he got out of his car in front of his home.

According to eyewitnesses, Mr Khan staggered to the door of his house. His son rushed to the gate to save life of his father who succumbed to his bullet injuries within seconds.

The eyewitnesses said an older-model pick-up truck, possibly a Toyota, was seen leaving the area.

The police said they have no motive and no suspects in the killing.

Khan’s nephew called the murder a cowardly, cold-blood attack and said his uncle had no enemies that he knew of. The family is offering a $50,000 reward for information on the shooting.