US federal prosecutors have announced criminal charges against alleged gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and his close associate Satinderjeet Singh, alias Goldy Brar, accusing them of orchestrating the 2023 killing of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. The charges form part of a wider crackdown on transnational organised crime networks, with authorities unsealing three indictments against 37 defendants and announcing the arrest of 24 suspects across the United States, Canada and Europe.

According to prosecutors, the investigation targeted three India-based organised crime groups allegedly involved in contract killings, extortion, drug trafficking and illegal arms operations operating across multiple countries.

Nijjar Murder Included in Charges

The indictments allege that Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar directed the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was shot dead outside the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, in June 2023.

Brar remains a fugitive, while Bishnoi has been lodged in an Indian jail since 2015 in connection with multiple criminal cases. US prosecutors have accused both men of coordinating criminal activities through associates operating across international borders.

The killing of Nijjar, a prominent supporter of the Khalistan movement, had sparked a prolonged diplomatic dispute between India and Canada after Ottawa alleged the involvement of Indian agents—claims New Delhi has consistently rejected.

Years-Long International Investigation

Federal prosecutors in Los Angeles said the indictments followed a multi-year investigation into transnational criminal syndicates with alleged links to India.

The probe involved several law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and US Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli said authorities would continue targeting international criminal organisations involved in violence, narcotics trafficking and organised extortion.

Extortion Case in California

Apart from the Nijjar murder allegations, prosecutors have accused members of the Bishnoi network of targeting religious and political figures while running extortion operations in North America.

According to court documents, Bishnoi, Brar and other associates allegedly demanded USD 5 million from a victim in California during December and January through threats and intimidation.

The indictments also allege that members of the network were involved in cross-border criminal enterprises extending beyond India and Canada.

Large Drug and Weapons Seizure

During the investigation, authorities recovered significant quantities of narcotics, cash and weapons believed to be linked to the criminal organisations.

Investigators seized approximately 1,000 kilograms of cocaine, 1 kilogram of heroin, around USD 40,000 in cash, and 12 firearms during coordinated enforcement operations.

Officials described the seizures as part of broader efforts to dismantle international trafficking networks allegedly connected to organised crime groups operating across multiple jurisdictions.

Background of the Diplomatic Dispute

Hardeep Singh Nijjar, 45, was shot dead by two masked gunmen in the parking area of a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, in June 2023.

In 2024, Canadian authorities arrested and charged four Indian nationals in connection with the killing. The case significantly strained diplomatic relations between India and Canada, leading to reciprocal diplomatic measures by both governments.

The latest US indictments add a new international legal dimension to the investigation, although the criminal proceedings remain separate from the ongoing diplomatic discussions between New Delhi and Ottawa.

Shooting at 17th Street checkpoint left suspect dead and one bystander injured; Secret Service and FBI probe incident

A gunman who opened fire near a security checkpoint outside the White House on Saturday was shot and later died after Secret Service officers returned fire, authorities said, prompting a heavy security response in downtown Washington.

Shooting at checkpoint

The incident began in the late afternoon at the 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue checkpoint, a short distance from the White House complex. According to law enforcement officials and a Secret Service statement, the man approached the checkpoint and fired at officers stationed there. Secret Service personnel immediately returned fire, striking the suspect. He was taken to George Washington University Hospital, where officials later confirmed he died from his injuries.

Officials said a bystander was struck during the exchange of gunfire; authorities did not immediately release details on that person’s condition. Initial reports described the suspect as alive when transported, but hospital officials later confirmed his death.

President inside residence

President Donald Trump was inside the White House at the time of the shooting, officials said. He was reportedly engaged in negotiations related to foreign policy matters and was not harmed. The Secret Service and the White House communications team said the president’s security was maintained and the gunman never breached the secure perimeter.

Trump issued remarks thanking the Secret Service for “swift action” and said the suspect had a “violent history and possible obsession” with the White House. The comments were posted on his social media account; aides later reiterated that the president was safe.

Agencies launch probe

The Secret Service said it is leading an investigation and is being assisted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. FBI Director Kash Patel posted that FBI agents were on scene supporting the Secret Service’s response. Local Metropolitan Police officers and National Guard troops mobilised to seal off roads and block access to the area as the probe unfolded.

A Secret Service statement provided to reporters said: “Secret Service police officers exchanged gunfire with the suspect after he opened fire at the checkpoint. Officers returned fire, striking the suspect, who was transported to an area hospital, where he later died.” Authorities described the individual as an “emotionally disturbed person” and said a previous “stay-away order” had been issued against him.

Scene and timeline

The shooting set off a rapid escalation of security across downtown Washington. Journalists and the public were held back as police cordoned off streets surrounding the presidential complex. Footage from the scene showed multiple law enforcement vehicles converging near Lafayette Square and officers scanning rooftops and nearby areas for additional threats in the immediate aftermath.

Sources familiar with the scene said the exchange of gunfire lasted only moments before officers gained control. Emergency responders treated the wounded and cleared the area, while investigators began collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses into the night.

Context and follow-up

The attack comes amid heightened attention to presidential security after several incidents in recent years. Officials noted that the latest shooting follows a string of alleged plots and breaches that prompted reviews of perimeter controls and interagency coordination. In April, an armed man was stopped at a hotel checkpoint where the president was attending an event; other incidents earlier in recent years included a shooting near a rally and an arrest on a golf course.

Security analysts stressed that the Secret Service’s rapid response likely prevented a more serious outcome. “Checkpoints are the first layer of defense,” one former federal agent said on condition of anonymity. “Agents are trained to neutralise immediate threats while containing risk to bystanders.”

What’s next

The Secret Service and FBI said they will continue their joint investigation to determine the suspect’s motive, the origin of any weapons used, and why a prior stay-away order did not prevent the encounter. Authorities also said they would review video footage and forensics from the scene and interview witnesses and personnel who were on duty.

Local officials asked area residents and workers to expect continued restrictions around the White House in the coming hours as investigators complete their work. The city’s police department urged anyone with relevant information or footage to contact investigators.

San Diego mosque shooting kills five; two teen suspects found dead, hate crime probe opened

Five people, including a security guard, were killed in a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego on Monday evening, authorities said, and two suspected shooters — both teenagers — were later found dead inside a vehicle near the mosque. Officials said the attack is being investigated as a possible hate crime.

What happened
According to San Diego Police Department (SDPD) officials, officers responded to multiple 911 calls shortly after 6:30 pm reporting shots fired at the Islamic Center, the largest mosque in San Diego County. First responders found several victims at the scene; five were pronounced dead, including a security guard who was stationed at the entrance. Police did not immediately release the victims’ names.

Two suspects were located inside a vehicle a short distance from the mosque. Investigators said the pair — identified as 17 and 19 years old in preliminary reports — were deceased when officers arrived. Initial indications suggest the suspects died by suicide after the attack, police said. Authorities cautioned that the investigation is ongoing and details remain subject to change.

Scene and response
Video from outside the centre showed dozens of worshippers and visitors evacuated from the compound, including more than a dozen children who were escorted to safety while holding hands. The mosque also houses a school where students learn Arabic, Islamic studies and the Quran; officials said staff and pupils were accounted for and safe.

Local law enforcement established a wide perimeter around the facility and closed nearby streets. The California Highway Patrol and the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services were coordinating with local authorities, Governor Gavin Newsom said, condemning the shooting and pledging state support for the Muslim community.

Possible motive under review
San Diego police said investigators are treating the attack as a potential hate crime, but added that they have not yet confirmed a motive. “We are exploring all leads and will share more information when appropriate,” an SDPD spokesperson said during an evening briefing. Sources familiar with the probe said investigators were reviewing social media and other digital evidence tied to the suspects.

Community leaders urged calm. Taha Hassane, the mosque’s imam, told reporters some non-Muslim visitors were at the centre on Monday as part of an outreach event. “Our community is grieving. We opened our doors for dialogue and today we suffered a terrible loss,” he said, according to a local broadcaster. Hassane confirmed the school’s students and staff were unharmed and that the mosque would be closed for the next few days as a precaution.

Federal agencies involved
The FBI has offered assistance and an agent was at the scene, a federal official said. Federal involvement is standard in cases potentially involving civil rights violations or interstate elements. Officials said the Bureau would support forensic analysis and digital-data recovery as needed.

Wider impact and reactions
The attack has reignited debate over gun violence and hate crime protections in the United States. President Donald Trump issued a brief statement calling the shooting “a terrible situation” and saying federal authorities would “be looking into it very strongly.” Civil rights advocates and Muslim organisations called for restrained, fact-based inquiries and urged officials to speed protections for vulnerable communities.

Recent string of shootings
The mosque shooting comes amid a spate of deadly incidents across the US in recent months, including a school shooting in Shreveport in April that killed eight children, and several other high-profile attacks earlier this year. Those incidents have intensified bipartisan calls for action on gun safety, though legislative progress remains stymied.

What’s next
Investigators said they expect to release more information after autopsies and ballistics tests are complete and once family notifications are made. The mosque’s leadership said it will announce memorial arrangements and counselling services for the community in the coming days.