In another violent incident involving an Indian student in Canada, a 20-year-old Indian student was killed in a shooting close to the University of Toronto’s Scarborough campus, prompting Canadian police to begin a search for those responsible and seek public assistance in the case.
The victim, identified as Shivank Avasthi, was an Indian national pursuing doctoral studies in Canada. According to the Toronto Police, officers found him with a gunshot wound on Tuesday afternoon. The incident has been recorded as the city’s 41st homicide this year.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, police said: “On Tuesday, at approximately 3.34 pm, police responded to a call for an unknown trouble in the Highland Creek Trail and Old Kingston Road area. Officers responded to reports of a person with serious injuries. Officers located a male victim with a gunshot wound. The victim was pronounced deceased on scene.” Police added that the suspect or suspects had left the area before their arrival.
Authorities have urged anyone with relevant information to contact police or reach out to Crime Stoppers through its anonymous tip lines.
The killing has deeply unsettled members of the Indian community in Canada and drawn a response from Indian officials. The Consulate General of India in Toronto said it was devastated by the death and is providing support to Avasthi’s family.
In a post on X, the Consulate said it was in close contact with the bereaved family and coordinating with local authorities to ensure all necessary assistance during this difficult period.
“We express deep anguish over the tragic death of a young Indian doctoral student, Mr. Shivank Avasthi, in a fatal shooting incident near the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus. The Consulate is in touch with the bereaved family during this difficult time, and is extending all necessary assistance in close coordination with the local authorities,” read the post on X.
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The shooting comes amid heightened concern following another recent death involving an Indian national in Toronto. Just days earlier, 30-year-old Himanshi Khurana was found dead inside a residence, a day after she was reported missing from the Strachan Avenue and Wellington Street West area.
After investigating that case, Toronto Police issued a warrant for the arrest of 32-year-old Abdul Ghafoori, charging him with first-degree murder. Police said the accused and the victim were believed to have been in an intimate relationship.
Reacting to Khurana’s killing, the Indian Consulate in Toronto had earlier expressed shock and sorrow, offering condolences to her family and assuring them of continued support while remaining engaged with Canadian authorities.