Indian student shot dead at University of Toronto Scarborough campus; suspect at large
By Anjali Sharma
NEW YORK – According to local officials and police on Friday said that a 20-year-old Indian doctoral student, Shivank Avasthi, was shot dead near the University of Toronto’s Scarborough campus, prompted a police manhunt and concern over student safety in Canada.
The victim, identified as Shivank Avasthi, was an Indian national pursuing doctoral studies in Canada, police said.
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.
Police said in a statement “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.
The 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 family.
The Consulate in a post on X 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.
The shooting came at heightened concern following another recent death involving an Indian national in Toronto.
Another 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.
Toronto Police issued a warrant for the arrest of 32-year-old Abdul Ghafoori, charged him with first-degree murder.
Police said the accused and the victim were believed to have been in an intimate relationship.
Indian Consulate in Toronto had eexpressed shock and sorrow, offering condolences to her family and assured them of continued support while remaining engaged with Canadian authorities.
