Murder charges have been laid in the death of Ripudaman Singh Malik, who was shot in front of his business in Surrey, BC, on July 14. Malik, who was acquitted in 2005 in connection with the Air India bombings that killed 331 people, was 75. On Tuesday, RCMP arrested Tanner Fox, 21, and Jose Lopez, 23, without incident in Abbotsford and New Westminster, respectively. “Through conventional investigative techniques and outstanding police work, we were able to locate and arrest two suspects in connection with this homicide,” said Supt. Mandeep Mooker of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team. He said both suspects are known to police. Court records show Fox has prior criminal convictions that include assault causing bodily harm and aggravated assault. Lopez has been convicted of assault with a weapon and assault causing bodily harm. He also faces a number of gun-related charges in Kelowna. He will go to trial in the Kelowna matters next December and was out on bail. “No matter where the investigation goes and no matter how these charges are proven, we have lost a great man,” said Jaspreet Malik, Ripudaman Singh Malik’s son. “Since our father’s murder…our family has been in a state of shock. We appreciate the outpouring of support we’ve received from the community,” he said, adding that news of the arrests brings mixed feelings. “We are happy that the IHIT team is making progress and we support them in the work they are doing,” he said, but added that the family is upset that two young people have allegedly chosen the wrong path in life. When asked if further arrests could be made, Muker said the investigation is ongoing. “Obviously, we’re in the very early stages of this investigation as it’s only 13 days old, so there’s a lot of follow-up work that needs to be done,” he said. Police said they are still working to determine a motive for the killing, but the family admits it’s a question that may never be answered. “It can always be an unfinished story,” said Malik’s son. “We may never know, but again, I trust the police to do their job.” Muker said the investigation was “complex with its own unique challenges” and that the charges arose because of “the dedication and expertise that each investigator brings as part of the integration and collaboration.” Meanwhile, Surrey RCMP Officer Brian Edwards took a moment to thank the community. “I want to thank the people of Surrey and thank you for your trust and your patience and your help in resolving this matter,” he said. A bail hearing for the accused is scheduled for August 10.
