Ripudaman Singh Malik, acquitted in Air India bombings, shot dead in Surrey, B.C.
CBC
Ripudaman Singh Malik, one of two men acquitted in the 1985 Air India terrorist bombings, has been shot to death in Surrey, B.C.
A witness told CBC he heard three shots and pulled Malik from his red Tesla bleeding from a neck wound.
The witness, who asked not to be named, said police were first to arrive at the scene.
A second witness from a nearby business in the 8200-block of 128 Street also identified Malik as the victim.
Surrey RCMP said a man shot at that location at around 9:30 a.m. PT succumbed to his injuries at the scene. They say it appears to be a targeted shooting and are not releasing the victim's name.
A suspect vehicle was located in the 12200-block of 82 Avenue engulfed in fire, according to police.
Malik, who was in his mid-70s, owned a business near where he was killed.
Malik and co-accused Ajaib Singh Bagri were acquitted in 2005 of mass murder and conspiracy charges related to a pair of bombings in 1985 that killed 331 people, mostly from the Toronto and Vancouver areas.
Of those who died, 329 were aboard Air India Flight 182 when it exploded in mid-air over the Atlantic Ocean on June 23, 1985. Another bomb destined for a separate flight exploded at a Tokyo airport, killing two baggage handlers.
The killings amounted to the worst mass murder in Canadian history. Among the dead were 280 Canadians and 86 children.
On Thursday evening, the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) issued a statement asking the public for help with the investigation into Malik's death.
IHIT says it's taken over the file and is working closely with Surrey RCMP and the B.C. Coroner's Service. Since the shooting took place in a residential area, it says it is "confident" there were witnesses and is urging them to come forward.
Anyone who was travelling in the 8200 block of 128 Street or the area of 122 Street and 82 Avenue in Surrey between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Thursday, especially those with dashcam footage, is asked to contact ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca or call 1-877-551-4448.
IHIT says it will provide an update on the investigation at 10 a.m on Friday at the Surrey RCMP Detachment.
