Convicted gunman Abjeet Kingra says he received $4,000 to shoot at a Vancouver Island home tied to singer A.P. Dhillon amid a Bishnoi gang probe.
Gunman Details Payment Behind Vancouver Island Shooting
A convicted gang member has revealed new details about a high-profile shooting that shocked British Columbia.
During a deportation hearing on Thursday, Abjeet Kingra testified that he accepted $4,000 to fire bullets at a Vancouver Island home linked to Punjabi music star A.P. Dhillon.
Kingra told Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Board that a co-worker at a Winnipeg moving company approached him with the offer. According to his testimony, the man assured him that nobody would be home and that he only needed to shoot at the outside of the property.
“He told me no one would be there and I would get paid,” Kingra said.
When officials asked why he was chosen for the job, Kingra replied that he did not know and described himself as “not that much intelligent.”
Deportation Case Shines Light on Gang Activity
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) wants Kingra removed from Canada. Officials argue that he belongs to the Lawrence Bishnoi criminal organization, a gang linked to a growing wave of extortion-related violence.
The hearing marks one of the first public deportation cases involving an alleged Bishnoi gang member. As authorities intensify efforts against organized crime networks, cases like this have drawn national attention.
Extortion schemes connected to the gang have created fear in several Canadian communities, especially in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario.
Financial Struggles Led to Dangerous Decision
Kingra arrived in Canada from India in 2018 on a student visa. Like many international students, he worked various jobs while trying to build a life in the country.
He testified that a friend, Vikram Sharma, first suggested the shooting. Although Kingra initially rejected the idea, he later changed his mind.
Money played a major role in his decision.
Kingra told the hearing that he hoped the payment would help support his family in India because he was struggling financially in Canada.
Cross-Country Trip Ends in Violent Attack
According to testimony, Kingra and Sharma drove from Winnipeg to Vancouver Island before carrying out the attack.
The pair reportedly visited the property earlier to scout the location. Later that night, Sharma allegedly poured gasoline on vehicles parked outside and set them on fire.
Kingra then fired 14 shots at the house.
He also recorded the attack on his phone. He said Sharma instructed him to create the video as proof that the job had been completed and payment should follow.
Questions Remain About Gang Connections
Despite admitting his role in the shooting, Kingra denied knowing the Bishnoi gang was involved.
He testified that he only learned about the gang’s connection after seeing media reports the next morning. By then, the video he recorded had already appeared online alongside claims of responsibility from the gang.
Kingra also said he did not know who supplied the firearm, who ordered the attack, or how the footage reached gang members.
Throughout the hearing, he frequently responded to questions with “I don’t remember.”
One Suspect Jailed, Another Still Wanted
While Kingra remains behind bars, Sharma fled Canada after the shooting and continues to be wanted by the RCMP.
Kingra is currently serving a six-year prison sentence for the Vancouver Island attack. He also awaits trial over another shooting that took place in Surrey, B.C., in August 2024.
A sentencing judge previously concluded that Kingra carried out the attack on behalf of the Bishnoi gang.
Court records indicated that the property became a target because of an individual connected to one of Dhillon’s music videos who had reportedly fallen into conflict with the criminal organization.
Canada Expands Crackdown on Extortion Networks
Canadian authorities have increased efforts against extortion gangs over the past year.
As investigations expanded, police identified hundreds of suspects who may not have legal grounds to remain in Canada.
The CBSA reported that it had opened 446 investigations and issued 118 removal orders by early May. Authorities have already removed dozens of individuals from the country, while several serious cases now face deportation hearings.
Kingra’s case remains among the most closely watched.
Lawrence Bishnoi’s Influence Reaches Canada
The gang at the centre of the investigation is led by Lawrence Bishnoi, an Indian crime figure who has continued to direct operations despite spending years in prison.
Authorities allege that Bishnoi and his Canadian associate, Goldy Brar, recruited young men to carry out extortion schemes targeting business owners, entertainers and members of the South Asian community.
Investigators say gang members often use shootings and arson attacks to reinforce threats and pressure victims into paying money.
Foreign Interference Concerns Add New Dimension
The case also highlights broader concerns about foreign interference and organized crime.
The RCMP has alleged that Indian government operatives used the Bishnoi network to advance political objectives in Canada. These allegations include links to violence targeting supporters of the Khalistan movement.
One of the most significant cases involves the 2023 killing of Surrey Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Canadian intelligence agencies continue to monitor foreign interference activities. Earlier this year, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service identified India as one of the leading sources of foreign interference and espionage affecting Canada.
At the same time, Ottawa has pursued renewed diplomatic and trade discussions with India, creating debate among some Sikh advocacy groups that want stronger attention paid to security concerns.
Growing Challenge for Canadian Authorities
The Kingra hearing offers a rare glimpse into how criminal networks recruit individuals, organize attacks and spread fear across communities.
As investigators continue targeting extortion rings and organized crime groups, the case underscores the growing challenge facing law enforcement agencies across Canada.
For many communities affected by gang-related intimidation, the outcome of these proceedings could signal how aggressively authorities plan to confront the threat moving forward.
