ABBOTSFORD, B.C. — A hit man already serving a life sentence for the 2022 murder of a former suspect in the notorious Air India terrorist attack has recently been handed another 15-year sentence for a separate murder that occurred just months prior.
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) has confirmed that 25-year-old Tanner Fox was sentenced on Wednesday for the manslaughter of 41-year-old Chad Colivas, who was found shot at his residence in Abbotsford on March 21, 2022. Tragically, Colivas succumbed to his injuries shortly after the incident.
According to IHIT spokeswoman Freda Fong, the shooting occurred when Colivas confronted Fox, who had unlawfully entered his home. Notably, Colivas was unarmed during the confrontation, and investigators have indicated that the incident is not linked to gang activities.
Following his arrest in 2023, Fox was charged along with 30-year-old Laetitia Acera. Acera plead guilty to break and enter and was sentenced to four years in prison followed by two years of probation. Fox, on the other hand, pleaded guilty to manslaughter with a firearm in April 2023.
In a disturbing twist, on July 14, 2022, Fox was involved in the shooting death of Ripudaman Singh Malik, a businessman who had been acquitted of charges related to the 1985 Air India bombing. Malik was shot dead in his Tesla at a business park located in Surrey, B.C. Fox and an accomplice subsequently pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in Malik's killing.
Last year, Fox was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for 20 years for his role in Malik's assassination. In court, he expressed regret about his actions, describing himself as "young and dumb" at the time of the critically planned killing.
Despite the legal repercussions for Fox and Acera, authorities have not disclosed who they believe orchestrated Malik's murder, leaving many questions unanswered regarding the motivations behind these violent acts.
The alarming nature of these incidents highlights ongoing concerns about violent crime in British Columbia, further compounded by high-profile cases that attract public and media attention. The ramifications of these events extend beyond the individuals involved, sparking discussions about safety, security, and justice within the community.
