2.47°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
surrey-police-probe-early-morning-shooting-at-newton-business
CanadaJan 20, 2026

Surrey police probe early morning shooting at Newton business

Surrey Police Service is investigating an early morning shooting that damaged a business and several vehicles in the city’s Newton neighbourhood. Police say officers were called to the 7200 block of King George Boulevard around 4:30 am after reports of gunfire. When members arrived, they found evidence of shots fired at a commercial property and nearby vehicles. The business was closed at the time, and no injuries were reported. The Surrey Police Service Frontline Investigative Support Team attended the scene, and the Major Crime Section has now taken over the investigation. Officers remain
woman-charged-in-alleged-downtown-eastside-stabbing-vancouver-police-say
BCJan 20, 2026

Woman charged in alleged Downtown Eastside stabbing, Vancouver police say

A 29-year-old woman is facing multiple charges following an alleged stabbing involving a stranger in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside early Sunday morning, according to police. Vancouver Police say an officer on patrol near the intersection of Hastings and Abbott streets was approached around 2:50 a.m. by several people who reported their friend had just been assaulted. Investigators allege the suspect used a knife to slash the victim’s shoulder before fleeing the area. Police located the suspect shortly afterward and arrested her following a brief foot pursuit. Officers deployed a taser duri
canadian-teens-death-on-australian-beach-shocks-friends-in-b-c
CanadaJan 20, 2026

Canadian teen’s death on Australian beach shocks friends in B.C.

Friends of a Canadian woman found dead on a remote Australian beach say the news has left them stunned and grieving, as authorities continue to investigate what happened. Police in Queensland say the body of a 19-year-old woman was discovered on a beach on K’gari, also known as Fraser Island, and that it appeared to have been interfered with by a pack of about 10 dingoes. Officials have not publicly confirmed the woman’s identity, though Australian media have reported she was Canadian. Brianna Falk, a close friend from Campbell River, B.C., says she first learned something was wrong while
fog-warning-extended-for-metro-vancouver-and-inland-vancouver-island
BCJan 20, 2026

Fog warning extended for Metro Vancouver and inland Vancouver Island

Environment Canada has extended a fog warning for parts of Metro Vancouver and inland areas of Vancouver Island, citing continued near-zero visibility conditions expected to persist into Wednesday. The weather agency says dense fog remains trapped over the region due to a ridge of high pressure that is holding moist air close to the surface. The warning covers much of Metro Vancouver, excluding the North Shore, as well as inland sections of Vancouver Island, including Port Alberni. The prolonged fog has already affected transportation across the Lower Mainland. Vancouver International Airport
AlbertaJan 20, 2026

Alberta Court of Appeal Overturns Calgary Man’s Double Murder Conviction

The Alberta Court of Appeal has overturned the conviction of a Calgary man previously sentenced to life in prison for the 2020 killings of two men in northwest Calgary. Gerald Benn was initially found guilty of two counts of second-degree murder three years after the fatal shooting. At trial, the judge cited surveillance footage and DNA found on plastic bags at the scene as key evidence. In its ruling, the Court of Appeal concluded that the evidence presented at trial was insufficient to conclusively prove Benn was the shooter. The decision means Benn’s conviction has been quashed, though th

Related News

Woman charged in alleged Downtown Eastside stabbing, Vancouver police say

Woman charged in alleged Downtown Eastside stabbing, Vancouver police say

A 29-year-old woman is facing multiple charges following an alleged stabbing involving a stranger in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside early Sunday morning, according to police. Vancouver Police say an officer on patrol near the intersection of Hastings and Abbott streets was approached around 2:50 a.m. by several people who reported their friend had just been assaulted. Investigators allege the suspect used a knife to slash the victim’s shoulder before fleeing the area. Police located the suspect shortly afterward and arrested her following a brief foot pursuit. Officers deployed a taser duri
Fog warning extended for Metro Vancouver and inland Vancouver Island

Fog warning extended for Metro Vancouver and inland Vancouver Island

Environment Canada has extended a fog warning for parts of Metro Vancouver and inland areas of Vancouver Island, citing continued near-zero visibility conditions expected to persist into Wednesday. The weather agency says dense fog remains trapped over the region due to a ridge of high pressure that is holding moist air close to the surface. The warning covers much of Metro Vancouver, excluding the North Shore, as well as inland sections of Vancouver Island, including Port Alberni. The prolonged fog has already affected transportation across the Lower Mainland. Vancouver International Airport
Public hearing opens into 2015 death of Myles Gray following Vancouver police altercation

Public hearing opens into 2015 death of Myles Gray following Vancouver police altercation

A public hearing examining the 2015 death of Myles Gray during an encounter with Vancouver police begins today in Vancouver. The hearing, conducted by the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner, is expected to continue for 10 weeks and will investigate the circumstances surrounding Gray’s fatal injuries following a confrontation with multiple officers in Burnaby, B.C. The hearing was requested by Gray’s family after a discipline authority cleared all seven officers involved of misconduct in 2024. Margaret Gray, the mother of the 26-year-old, is scheduled to be the first witness. She h
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