A Chilliwack man who rolled his tractor on a B.C. highway after protesting against sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) programs in public schools is facing three criminal charges.
Police arrested 54-year-old Malkiat Singh “Bill” Shoker Dec. 18, 2024, more than a year after the Nov. 25, 2023, incident, according to a Monday press release from the BC Highway Patrol section of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Video captured during a police chase showed the tractor attempt to take an on-ramp onto Highway 1 in Surrey.
RCMP officers appeared to execute a PIT manoeuvre — a pursuit tactic where the pursuing vehicle hits the rear quarter panel of the fleeing vehicle, causing it to lose traction and spin to a stop.
Shoker was ejected from the vehicle and was taken to hospital with serious injuries. One officer received minor injuries in the collision. The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. later cleared the RCMP of any wrongdoing in the case.
Shoker was charged on Dec. 9 with dangerous driving, as well as fleeing police and assaulting officers with a weapon.
Within days, the incident was picked up by B.C.’s political parties.
B.C. Conservative Party Leader John Rustad said parents were "right to raise concerns" about the program, known as SOGI 123, calling it "gender ideology." Rustad said his party wanted the education system "refocused on academics and leave the social issues for families."
In response, Attorney General Niki Sharma told reporters at the legislature that the incident was "very concerning.” She accused Rustad of "stoking, fear, hatred and division" in the province and that anti-SOGI protesters had begun “targeting children."
Shocker’s next court appearance will be in Surrey on Jan. 16, 2025, according to police.
With files from the Canadian Press
