Toronto: A young Indian doctoral student was killed in a shooting near the University of Toronto Scarborough campus, triggering shock and concern within the Indian community in Canada. The victim has been identified as Shivank Avasthi, a research scholar pursuing his studies in Toronto.
The Consulate General of India in Toronto confirmed the incident and expressed deep sorrow over the loss. In a statement shared on social media, the Consulate said it is in constant contact with the student’s family and is working closely with Canadian authorities to provide all possible assistance during this difficult period.
Toronto Police said the shooting took place in the area of Highland Creek Trail and Old Kingston Road. Officers who arrived at the scene found the victim with a gunshot wound, and he was pronounced dead shortly after. The suspects reportedly fled before police reached the location, prompting an investigation and a temporary lockdown of the nearby campus.
Local media reports noted that this incident marks Toronto’s 41st homicide of the year, underscoring growing concerns about violent crime in parts of the city.
The killing comes amid another recent case involving the death of an Indian-origin woman in Toronto. Police earlier confirmed that Himanshi Khurana, a 30-year-old Indian national, was found murdered, and a nationwide arrest warrant has been issued for a suspect known to her. Investigators have indicated that the case appears to involve intimate partner violence.
India’s Consulate in Toronto had also expressed grief over Khurana’s death, stating that it remains in close coordination with local law enforcement and is extending support to the bereaved family.
Both incidents have sparked renewed calls from community members for enhanced safety measures and swift justice, as investigations into the killings continue.
