Canadian court has handed down a staggering 25-year prison sentence to Balraj Basra, an Indian-origin man convicted of first-degree murder and arson in the brazen 2022 shooting of 38-year-old Vishal Walia. The verdict, delivered by a jury at the Supreme Court of British Columbia on Tuesday, marks Basra as the third and final convict in this high-profile homicide, as reported by local outlets like City News and CBC.

The incident unfolded on October 17, 2022, at a serene golf club nestled on the prestigious grounds of the University of British Columbia—a location typically associated with leisure and academia, not cold-blooded violence. According to the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT), Walia was gunned down in a targeted attack, his life cut short in a hail of bullets. But the perpetrators didn't stop there: Basra, along with accomplices Iqbal Kang and Deandre Baptiste, set fire to a vehicle in a desperate bid to destroy evidence and cover their tracks.

The trio's escape was short-lived. Fleeing the scene in another vehicle, they were swiftly pursued and apprehended just minutes later in a coordinated sting involving the Vancouver Police Department (VPD), British Columbia Highway Patrol, and Richmond Royal Canadian Mounted Police. This rapid response highlighted the efficiency of Canadian law enforcement in tackling organized crime, preventing what could have escalated into a broader manhunt.

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Basra's co-conspirators faced justice earlier. Iqbal Kang received 17 years for his role, plus a concurrent five-year term for arson, reflecting a lighter sentence possibly due to his level of involvement. In stark contrast, Deandre Baptiste was hit with a life sentence and no chance of parole for 17 years, underscoring the varying degrees of culpability determined by the courts.

This case sheds light on the darker undercurrents of gang-related violence infiltrating even upscale communities in Canada. Vishal Walia, a father and businessman, became an unwitting victim in what investigators believe was a dispute tied to criminal networks. The arson element added layers of complexity, aiming to erase forensic trails but ultimately failing against meticulous police work.

As Basra begins his lengthy incarceration, questions linger about the motives behind the killing and whether more individuals were involved in the plot. The convictions serve as a stern warning: no hideout, not even a university golf course, is safe from the long arm of the law. Families on both sides continue to grapple with the aftermath, while the community reflects on the fragility of peace in unexpected places.

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