A man accused of shooting four people at a Richmond banquet hall last year has been found not criminally responsible for his actions by reason of mental disorder.
The ruling was made Wednesday in B.C. Provincial Court in Richmond following a trial.
Sukhdeep Singh Sandhu was charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, recklessly discharging a firearm, unauthorized possession of a firearm and possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm.
On Jan. 16, 2013, Sandhu walked into the Riverside Banquet Hall in the 14500-block River Road during a party for new members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, pulled out a gun and shot a former high school friend.
The target of the shooting was hit in the head, abdomen and thigh. Three other people were injured in the incident.
According to reports, Sandhu testified in court during his trial that voices told him to shoot the man. Sandhu has been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.
Following the judge’s decision the B.C. Review Board will hold a hearing. Based on the evidence presented at the hearing, the board will issue an order with one of three possible dispositions: absolute discharge, conditional discharge or detention in a psychiatric hospital
If Sandhu is released on a conditional discharge or detained, the B.C. Review Board must conduct periodic reviews.
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