Police in Ontario have arrested a Canadian man of Indian origin in connection with a shooting and arson attack at the residence of popular Punjabi artist AP Dhillon.
A second suspect, also of Indian descent, remains at large and is believed to be in India, where authorities have issued an arrest warrant for him.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) confirmed that 25-year-old Abjeet Kingra, a resident of Winnipeg, was apprehended on Oct. 30, following an investigation into the Sept. 2 attack on Dhillon’s residence in Colwood, British Columbia. Kingra faces charges including discharging a firearm with intent and arson, linked to both a gunfire incident targeting the artist's home and two vehicle fires on Ravenwood Road.
“West Shore RCMP officers have been working diligently on this investigation, which has led to identifying the suspects involved,” said Superintendent Todd Preston, Officer in Charge of West Shore RCMP. “We will continue to pursue this investigation and locate the outstanding suspect until an arrest is made.”
According to reports, on the night of Sept. 2, police were called to Dhillon’s Colwood home after shots were fired and two vehicles were set ablaze. Officers quickly evacuated an occupant from the residence, while Colwood Fire Department personnel extinguished the vehicle fires. Investigators later recovered a video, allegedly filmed by one of the suspects, showing at least 14 rounds being fired at the property. Dhillon was reportedly not home at the time of the attack.
In connection with the incident, an arrest warrant has also been issued for Vikram Sharma, 23, who is suspected of having fled to India. Sharma, wanted for charges of discharging a firearm with intent and arson, has been described by authorities as a South Asian man, approximately 5'9", weighing 200 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. However, no photograph of Sharma is currently available.
Dhillon, known for his international hits and for making history as the first Punjabi-language artist to perform at the Juno Awards in 2023, has not yet issued a statement regarding the incident.
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