Bollywood
Canadian Police Arrest Suspect in Shooting Outside Punjabi Singer AP Dhillon’s Home, Second Suspect Sought in India
British Columbia, Canada — Canadian authorities have arrested a 25-year-old suspect, Abjeet Kingra of Winnipeg, in connection with a shooting incident outside the British Columbia residence of Punjabi singer AP Dhillon. The arrest follows an investigation into the September 20 attack, where gunshots were fired at Dhillon’s home in Colwood on Vancouver Island. During the incident, two vehicles parked near the residence were also set ablaze.
AP Dhillon, a popular figure in the global Punjabi music scene, was not home at the time and was unharmed. Kingra, apprehended in Ontario on October 30, now faces formal charges of “discharge of a firearm with intent and arson” and is scheduled to appear in an Ontario court today. Police are still pursuing a second suspect, 23-year-old Vikram Sharma, who is believed to be in hiding in India. An arrest warrant has been issued for Sharma, described as a South Asian male, 5’9″, with black hair and brown eyes, and authorities have urged anyone with information to come forward.
The attack, which was captured in a video appearing to show the gunman firing multiple rounds at Dhillon’s property before setting vehicles on fire, shocked the local community and fans worldwide. Following the incident, the Lawrence Bishnoi-Rohit Godara gang claimed responsibility, sparking widespread concern as the gang is linked to several high-profile crimes, including the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala and alleged threats against Bollywood actor Salman Khan. This gang has also been linked to a similar attack outside Punjabi singer Gippy Grewal’s Canadian residence last year.
The incident has unfolded amid heightened tensions between Canada and India, following allegations by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that the Indian government orchestrated violence against Sikh separatists in Canada. Trudeau claimed that evidence increasingly suggests India’s involvement in targeting Sikh dissidents on Canadian soil, a charge India denies, citing Sikh separatists’ push for a Khalistan homeland as a national security threat. The long-standing Khalistan movement, which advocates for an independent Sikh state in Punjab, India, led to a violent insurgency in the 1980s and 1990s, culminating in anti-Sikh riots in 1984 following Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination by her Sikh bodyguards.
The diplomatic strain between Canada and India escalated further when both nations expelled each other’s diplomats after Trudeau’s statements and allegations linking Indian officials to the murder of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. Canadian officials have also reportedly accused Indian Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah of targeting Sikh activists in Canada, though evidence remains undisclosed.
AP Dhillon, known for his unique blend of 1980s synth-pop with Punjabi music and hits like “Brown Munde” and “Insane,” expressed his gratitude to supporters on social media, reassuring friends worldwide of his safety. Despite the challenges posed by recent events, Dhillon continues to attract a wide audience globally, symbolizing the rising influence of Punjabi music across cultures.
