Balraj Basra, the third suspect in the UBC homicide case of 2022, was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 25 years by a B.C. Supreme Court jury on Tuesday. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) confirmed the conviction on charges of first-degree murder and arson.
Earlier this year, the other two culprits involved in the crime were also sentenced. Iqbal Kang received a 17-year prison term, with an additional five-year concurrent sentence for arson, while Deandre Baptiste was handed a life sentence with no possibility of parole for 17 years.
The tragic incident took place on a morning in October 2022 near the University Golf Club on University Boulevard. Following reports of a shooting, police found the victim, 38-year-old Vishal Walia, with fatal gunshot wounds.
Not long after, authorities were alerted to a vehicle fire on West 20th Avenue, close to the initial crime scene. Vancouver Police Department (VPD) officers swiftly apprehended the suspects fleeing in another vehicle, with assistance from the BC Highway Patrol and Richmond RCMP.
Sgt. Freda Fong of IHIT commended the collaborative efforts of various law enforcement agencies, highlighting that the case underscores the relentless commitment to safeguarding the community against organized crime.