Ripudaman Singh’s son issued a statement following the announcement of the arrest saying their family have mixed emotions since this is not the end of investigation, it still doesn’t answer why his father was killed at the same time the family feels sorry for these 2 young men who made poor choices
By Link News Network
Two men were arrested and charged with first degree murder in the killing of Ripudaman Singh Malik, the high profile Canadian Sikh businessman acquitted in Air India bombing, was shot dead in broad daylight on July 14 in Surrey.
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) said in a release that on July 27, 2022, following a consultation with the BC Prosecution Service, charges of first degree murder were approved against 21-year-old Tanner Fox and 23-year-old Jose Lopez for the murder of Ripudaman Singh Malik. Tanner Fox and Jose Lopez were arrested in their residences without incident.
The police informed that both of these men were known to police. However, did not provide any details behind the motive of the killings. This case was complex with its own unique challenges,” said Superintendent Mandeep Mooker, “our IHIT investigators and partners prevailed because of the dedication and expertise that each investigator brings as part of the integration and partnership.”
No further details of the investigation will be provided as this matter is now before the courts, he added.
Mooker informed that IHIT worked with Surrey Detachment, the New Westminster Police Department (NWPD), the Abbotsford Police Department (AbbyPD), and other partners to obtain the leads required for a successful investigation.
On July 14, 2022, at 9:27 a.m., the Surrey RCMP responded to shots fired at the business complex at 8236 128 Street, Surrey. When first responders arrived, they found Ripudaman Singh Malik suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite life-saving interventions, he Malik died at scene. IHIT was called in to investigate.
Homicide investigators identified a suspect vehicle used in the shooting. A white Honda CRV was captured on CCTV hours before the shooting. This white Honda CRV was then found in flames at 122 Street and 82 Avenue. IHIT investigators have been working in partnership with the Surrey Detachment, the Integrated Forensic Identification Section (IFIS), and the BC Coroners Service to acquire evidence.
Malik’s son Jaspreet Malik issued a statement after the announcement of the arrest of Fox and Lopez. He said his family had mixed emotions. “The news today that two people have been arrested has brought us mixed emotions. We are glad that IHIT team is making progress. At the same time we are saddened that these two young men made poor life choices.”
He noted that it strikes the family as “profoundly sad” that their father, who dedicated his life to serving his community, mentoring young people and steer them on a “path of being productive members of Canadian society, was taken by two young people who clearly strayed so far from that path.”
Jaspreet told reporters that he and his family have never heard the names of his father’s killers before, and are “at a loss” to understand why someone would want to kill his father. “I was assured by IHIT team that this is not the end of investigation, and the investigation is ongoing, this is a step in process. This still doesn’t answer the why.”
When asked about his reactions to various media reports speculating the motive behind his father’s murder he had one answer, he said, he knew as much as everyone else and he will not speculate on anything and will let police and the justice system do the job.
A man who courted controversies during his life time was well known amongst Punjabi Sikh community of the Lower Mainland. If on one hand he was identified as a businessman and a philanthropist who headed Khalsa Credit Union and Khalsa Schools, on the other hand, internationally and locally he was also known as someone accused of Air India Flight bombing.
In 2000, Malik and Ajaib Singh Bagri were charged with 329 counts of first-degree murder in connection with a suitcase bomb going off on an Air India jet over the coast of Ireland on June 23, 1985. However, in March 2005, the two men were acquitted after a lengthy trial when the judge questioned the credibility of several Crown witnesses.
According to media reports, he had also courted recent controversy for his links to printing the Sikh holy book — the Guru Granth Sahib — outside of India in contravention of a religious edict.
Also some media outlets reported that Malik in January in a letter to Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, had expressed his “heartfelt gratitude for the unprecedented positive steps taken by yourself to redress long-reading Sikh demands and grievances.” The existence of Malik’s letter was revealed in the Hindustan Times.
