17.3°C Vancouver
connect fm logo

Jan 28, 2025 1:28 PM - The Canadian Press

Hitmen face sentencing for B.C. murder of former Air India suspect Malik

Share On
hitmen-face-sentencing-for-b-c-murder-of-former-air-india-suspect-malik
Tanner Fox and accomplice Jose Lopez pleaded guilty last October to second-degree murder (Photo: The Canadian Press)

One of the admitted hitmen who killed former Air India bombing suspect Ripudaman Singh Malik is set to be sentenced for his part in the murder today in a New Westminster, B.C., courtroom.

Tanner Fox and accomplice Jose Lopez pleaded guilty to second-degree murder last October, with Fox scheduled to be sentenced today, and Lopez due back in court on Friday. Malik, who was acquitted of charges related to the 1985 Air India bombing, was shot dead in Surrey, B.C, on July 14, 2022. Fox and Lopez, who were both in their early 20s at the time of the killing, were originally charged with first-degree murder less than two weeks after the killing. They still face automatic life sentences on the lesser charges of second-degree murder. Crown prosecutors and defence lawyers have jointly proposed that they not be eligible for parole for 20 years.

An agreed statement of facts provided by the BC Prosecution Service says Fox and Lopez were "hired and paid" to carry out the murder, but police and prosecutors have not revealed who they believe hired the pair to assassinate the Sikh businessman. Malik was shot dead in his Tesla at a business park in Surrey, B.C. In 2005, Malik was acquitted in B.C. Supreme Court along with his co-accused, Ajaib Singh Bagri, of charges related to the bombings aimed at two Air India planes that killed 331 people in June 1985. One bomb blew up over the ocean off Ireland, killing all 329 on board, while the second device exploded at Narita airport in Japan, killing two baggage handlers.

A 2005 Canadian government report concluded the bombings were carried out by Sikh Khalistani separatists in Canada, including bomb maker Inderjit Singh Reyat, who was convicted of manslaughter.

Latest news

See All
BCJul 10, 2026

Wildfire rages out of control near Boston Bar in B.C., Highway 1 closed

Wildfire activity near Boston Bar in British Columbia's Fraser Canyon continues to pose a significant threat, with Highway 1 closed due to uncontrolled fires burning on both sides of the Fraser River. According to authorities, the closure is in place to protect public safety. Many residents have already left for safer locations, while others remain on alert as conditions continue to evolve. Amid the emergency, Jagdeep Singh Bahl, owner of JB's Drive-In Restaurant near Highway 1, has opened his restaurant earlier than usual to provide meals for wildfire crews battling the blazes. Bahl said he i
amber-alert-issued-after-alleged-abduction-of-six-year-old-near-b-c-alberta-border
BCJul 10, 2026

Amber Alert issued after alleged abduction of six-year-old near B.C.–Alberta border

Alberta RCMP have issued an Amber Alert after the alleged abduction of a six-year-old child from northern Alberta, with investigators believing the child may now be in British Columbia, the Northwest Territories or Yukon. According to RCMP, Lanakai Morrison was allegedly taken Tuesday from Valhalla Centre, a hamlet about 63 kilometres northwest of Grande Prairie. Police said the child was last seen at about 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in Fort St. John, B.C. Investigators believe Lanakai may be with the child's 35-year-old mother, Krista Morrison, and her 35-year-old partner, Daniel Ludwig. Police also
canada-adds-18-200-jobs-in-june-as-unemployment-rate-falls-to-6-5
CanadaJul 10, 2026

Canada adds 18,200 jobs in June as unemployment rate falls to 6.5%

Canada's labour market posted a net gain of 18,200 jobs in June, while the national unemployment rate declined to 6.5 per cent, according to Statistics Canada's Labour Force Survey released Friday. The increase follows a stronger gain of 87,800 jobs recorded in May. According to Statistics Canada, employment growth in June was driven primarily by the services sector and part-time work. The largest job gains were reported in wholesale and retail trade, as well as accommodation and food services, with younger workers benefiting the most from the hiring. Manufacturing continued to face pressure a
AlbertaJul 10, 2026

Calgary house fire sends one person to hospital; five occupants escape safely

One person was taken to hospital after an early morning house fire in southeast Calgary on Friday, while four other occupants and a family pet escaped the home safely. According to the Calgary Fire Department, crews responded to a reported residential fire at approximately 2:45 a.m. in the 300 block of Chapala Point S.E. Firefighters arrived to find smoke and flames coming from the rear and side of the home before bringing the fire under control. Officials said all five occupants were able to evacuate the residence before firefighters arrived. One person sustained burns and smoke inhalation an
CanadaJul 10, 2026

Brampton truck driver sentenced in absentia after fleeing before sentencing in $7.5M cross-border drug case

A Brampton truck driver convicted in a cross-border drug smuggling case involving an estimated $7.5 million worth of cocaine and heroin is believed to have fled Canada days before he was scheduled to be sentenced. According to court records and published reports, Charanpreet Singh was arrested on April 8, 2022, after Canada Border Services Agency officers allegedly discovered 55 kilograms of cocaine and five kilograms of heroin inside a commercial transport truck at the Blue Water Bridge border crossing between the United States and Canada. Authorities estimated the seized drugs had an interna

Related News

Wildfire rages out of control near Boston Bar in B.C., Highway 1 closed

Wildfire rages out of control near Boston Bar in B.C., Highway 1 closed

Wildfire activity near Boston Bar in British Columbia's Fraser Canyon continues to pose a significant threat, with Highway 1 closed due to uncontrolled fires burning on both sides of the Fraser River. According to authorities, the closure is in place to protect public safety. Many residents have already left for safer locations, while others remain on alert as conditions continue to evolve. Amid the emergency, Jagdeep Singh Bahl, owner of JB's Drive-In Restaurant near Highway 1, has opened his restaurant earlier than usual to provide meals for wildfire crews battling the blazes. Bahl said he i
Amber Alert issued after alleged abduction of six-year-old near B.C.–Alberta border

Amber Alert issued after alleged abduction of six-year-old near B.C.–Alberta border

Alberta RCMP have issued an Amber Alert after the alleged abduction of a six-year-old child from northern Alberta, with investigators believing the child may now be in British Columbia, the Northwest Territories or Yukon. According to RCMP, Lanakai Morrison was allegedly taken Tuesday from Valhalla Centre, a hamlet about 63 kilometres northwest of Grande Prairie. Police said the child was last seen at about 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in Fort St. John, B.C. Investigators believe Lanakai may be with the child's 35-year-old mother, Krista Morrison, and her 35-year-old partner, Daniel Ludwig. Police also
Two drivers killed in head-on crash in Kootenay National Park

Two drivers killed in head-on crash in Kootenay National Park

Two drivers were killed in a head-on collision on Highway 93 in Kootenay National Park on Wednesday evening, according to the RCMP. Police said officers responded at about 5:30 p.m. to reports of a serious crash near the Simpson Monument. Investigators determined that a westbound vehicle crossed the centre line while negotiating a curve and collided head-on with an oncoming vehicle. According to the RCMP, each vehicle was occupied only by its driver. Both drivers were pronounced dead at the scene. A third vehicle was also involved in the incident, and its two occupants suffered minor injuries.
connect fm logo

Legals

Privacy policy
Journalism code of ethics
© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.
MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

About
Advertisers
Careers
Contact
Feedback
Accessibility Plan
Broadcasting Notice of Consultation
BC Children's Hospital
Android app linkApple app link