12.67°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
alberta-constitutional-affairs-adviser-jason-stephan-resigns-from-role
AlbertaMay 26, 2026

Alberta constitutional affairs adviser Jason Stephan resigns from role

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s office says Jason Stephan has resigned as the government’s parliamentary adviser on constitutional affairs. Stephan, the United Conservative Party MLA for Red Deer-South, remains a member of the government caucus, according to the premier’s office. No reason was provided for the resignation, which the office said was submitted earlier this year. The constitutional affairs advisory role was created by the Alberta government last year and was described at the time as “critically important” to advancing the province’s interests in federal-provincial re
firearms-prohibited-weapons-seized-after-lake-country-rcmp-search-warrant
BCMay 26, 2026

Firearms, prohibited weapons seized after Lake Country RCMP search warrant

Lake Country RCMP say officers seized multiple firearms, including prohibited and restricted weapons, during the execution of a search warrant at a residence in the 12000 block of Shoreline Drive on May 25. According to an RCMP news release, the warrant was obtained following reports that a firearm had been discharged in a Lake Country neighbourhood earlier this month. The search was carried out with assistance from the Southeast District Emergency Response Team. Police said officers seized eight firearms along with ammunition from the property. The residence was unoccupied at the time the war
WorldMay 26, 2026

Israeli airstrike in eastern Lebanon kills 12 ahead of planned U.S. talks

An Israeli airstrike on a village in eastern Lebanon killed 12 people overnight, according to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency. The strike targeted an area in the Bekaa Valley late Monday as Israel intensified attacks against Hezbollah positions across southern and eastern Lebanon. The Israeli military did not comment directly on the reported deaths but said Monday it was targeting Hezbollah infrastructure in eastern Lebanon. Rescue workers recovered a dozen bodies from the rubble following what Lebanese officials described as a wave of overnight airstrikes. The identities of those k
officer-involved-shooting-under-investigation-in-surrey
BCMay 26, 2026

Officer-involved shooting under investigation in Surrey

The Independent Investigations Office of British Columbia is investigating an officer-involved shooting in Surrey that left one person injured Sunday evening. According to the Surrey Police Service, officers were called at about 7:34 p.m. on May 25 to a residence in the 12200 block of Southpark Crescent following reports of a suspicious man. Police said the man confronted responding officers after they arrived at the scene. Officers then discharged their service-issued firearms. Surrey Police Service officers and BC Emergency Health Services paramedics provided emergency medical treatment befo
ihit-launches-homicide-investigation-after-woman-found-dead-in-mission-home
BCMay 26, 2026

IHIT launches homicide investigation after woman found dead in Mission home

Police in Mission are investigating the death of a woman found inside a home Sunday night as a homicide case. According to Mission RCMP, officers responded around 11:30 p.m. to a report of an injured person at a residence in the 33600 block of Dewdney Trunk Road. Officers arriving at the scene located a woman deceased inside the home. RCMP said a man was also found injured at the residence and was taken for medical treatment. Police said his injuries were not considered life-threatening. Investigators confirmed both individuals lived at the home. Due to the suspicious circumstances surrounding

Related News

Firearms, prohibited weapons seized after Lake Country RCMP search warrant

Firearms, prohibited weapons seized after Lake Country RCMP search warrant

Lake Country RCMP say officers seized multiple firearms, including prohibited and restricted weapons, during the execution of a search warrant at a residence in the 12000 block of Shoreline Drive on May 25. According to an RCMP news release, the warrant was obtained following reports that a firearm had been discharged in a Lake Country neighbourhood earlier this month. The search was carried out with assistance from the Southeast District Emergency Response Team. Police said officers seized eight firearms along with ammunition from the property. The residence was unoccupied at the time the war
Officer-involved shooting under investigation in Surrey

Officer-involved shooting under investigation in Surrey

The Independent Investigations Office of British Columbia is investigating an officer-involved shooting in Surrey that left one person injured Sunday evening. According to the Surrey Police Service, officers were called at about 7:34 p.m. on May 25 to a residence in the 12200 block of Southpark Crescent following reports of a suspicious man. Police said the man confronted responding officers after they arrived at the scene. Officers then discharged their service-issued firearms. Surrey Police Service officers and BC Emergency Health Services paramedics provided emergency medical treatment befo
IHIT launches homicide investigation after woman found dead in Mission home

IHIT launches homicide investigation after woman found dead in Mission home

Police in Mission are investigating the death of a woman found inside a home Sunday night as a homicide case. According to Mission RCMP, officers responded around 11:30 p.m. to a report of an injured person at a residence in the 33600 block of Dewdney Trunk Road. Officers arriving at the scene located a woman deceased inside the home. RCMP said a man was also found injured at the residence and was taken for medical treatment. Police said his injuries were not considered life-threatening. Investigators confirmed both individuals lived at the home. Due to the suspicious circumstances surrounding
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
BC Children's Hospital
Android app linkApple app link