Toronto, Dec 26: In a tragic incident, 20 year old Indian doctoral student Shivank Avasthi was fatally shot near the University of Toronto’s Scarborough campus on Tuesday afternoon, prompting a city wide police search for the perpetrator(s).
Toronto Police reported that officers responded around 3:34 pm to calls of an injured person in the Highland Creek Trail and Old Kingston Road area. They found Avasthi with a gunshot wound, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities confirmed that the suspect or suspects had fled before police arrival. This marks the 41st homicide in Toronto this year.
Police have urged anyone with information to contact local authorities or Crime Stoppers anonymously.
The Indian Consulate in Toronto expressed deep anguish over the incident, confirming that it is providing all necessary assistance to Avasthi’s family. In a statement on X, the Consulate said, “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 close contact with the bereaved family and coordinating with local authorities to provide full support during this difficult time.”
The incident has heightened concerns among the Indian community in Canada, coming just days after the murder of 30 year old Himanshi Khurana, another Indian national, in Toronto. Police have issued a Canada-wide arrest warrant for 32 year old Abdul Ghafoori, charged with first degree murder in Khurana’s case.
These recent events have prompted Indian authorities to maintain close coordination with Canadian law enforcement to ensure the safety and welfare of Indian nationals residing in the country.