Three men sentenced in 2022 shooting death at UBC golf course

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says all three men convicted in the 2022 shooting death of Vishal Walia at a golf club on the lands of the University of British Columbia have been sentenced. 

Police say Deandre Baptiste, Balraj Basra and Iqbal Kang were all charged with first-degree murder four days after Walia was gunned down at the University Golf Club on Oct. 17, 2022. 

Investigators say the three men were arrested that morning, less than an hour after police were called to the club on the university endowment lands in Vancouver. 

The homicide team says Kang pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit murder last month and was sentenced to 17 years in prison, while Baptiste pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in May and sentenced to life in prison without being eligible for parole for 17 years.

Police say Basra was convicted of first-degree murder and arson last week, and was sentenced today to life in prison without parole eligibility for 25 years.

Sgt. Freda Fong with the team says the three men "showed a complete disregard for public safety" as they fled from multiple crime scenes.

“We are fortunate no bystanders were injured in the process," Fong said. “Organized crime has no boundaries." 

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck