The three men who were charged with the murder of Vishal Walia on October 17, 2022, on the University Endowment Lands have now been convicted and sentenced with lengthy jail terms. DeAndre Baptiste, Balraj Basra and Iqbal Kang have all been found guilty of Walia’s murder and Baptiste and Basra were sentenced to life behind bars while Kang was given a 17-year-sentence. On October 17, 2022, at 9:49 a.m., University RCMP received reports of a shooting at the University Golf Club, located in the 5100-block of University Boulevard on the University Endowment Lands.  Officers attended and located Vishal Walia suffering from fatal gunshot wounds. At 10:02 a.m., a vehicle fire was reported in the laneway located in the 4000-block of W 20th Avenue, Vancouver.  

By PD Raj – Senior Reporter DESIBUZZCanada

VANCOUVER – The three men who were charged with the murder of Vishal Walia on October 17, 2022, on the University Endowment Lands have now been convicted and sentenced with lengthy jail terms.

DeAndre Baptiste, Balraj Basra and Iqbal Kang have all been found guilty of Walia’s murder and Baptiste and Basra were sentenced to life behind bars while Kang was given a 17-year-sentence. 

On October 17, 2022, at 9:49 a.m., University RCMP received reports of a shooting at the University Golf Club, located in the 5100-block of University Boulevard on the University Endowment Lands.  Officers attended and located Vishal Walia suffering from fatal gunshot wounds. At 10:02 a.m., a vehicle fire was reported in the laneway located in the 4000-block of W 20th Avenue, Vancouver.  

A suspect vehicle was quickly identified by Vancouver Police Department (VPD) members responding to the vehicle fire.

Shortly after 10:20 a.m., members from VPD, BC Highway Patrol and the Richmond RCMP, arrested Baptiste, Basra and Kang in relation to the homicide and vehicle arson.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) assumed conduct of the investigation and worked in close partnership with VPD, University RCMP and the Richmond RCMP to identify evidence linking the offences. The investigation was supported by the BC Highway Patrol, the E-Division Major Crimes Unit, Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit BC (CFSEU-BC), the Langley RCMP and the Integrated Forensic Identification Services (IFIS).

On October 21, 2022, charges of first-degree murder were laid against Deandre Baptiste, Balraj Basra and Iqbal Kang, who remained in custody until trial.

On September 10, 2025, Kang entered a guilty plea to the lesser offence of conspiracy to commit murder, and he was sentenced to 17 years in prison, less credit for pre-sentence custody. The court also imposed a five-year concurrent sentence for arson.

On May 14, 2025, Baptiste entered a guilty plea to the lesser offence of second-degree murder, and on September 12, 2025, he was sentenced to life in prison with no parole eligibility for 17 years.

On September 15, 2025, the jury trial for Basra began in the Supreme Court of BC in Vancouver. Counsel made their closing submissions on October 20 and 21, 2025. On October 23, 2025, the jury convicted Basra of first-degree murder and arson.

On October 28, Basra was sentenced to life in prison with no parole eligibility for 25 years. The court also imposed a five-year concurrent sentence for arson.

 “The three convicted in this case showed a complete disregard for public safety as they fled from multiple crime scenes,” says Sgt. Freda Fong of IHIT. “We are fortunate no bystanders were injured in the process.”

 “Organized crime has no boundaries, and this is a good example of police officers from different departments and units jumping in and working together with the common goal to protect the public.”