A 20-year-old Indian student has been killed in a shooting near the University of Toronto’s Scarborough campus, prompting Canadian police to launch a manhunt and seek public assistance.
The victim has been identified as Shivank Avasthi, an Indian national pursuing doctoral studies in Canada. Toronto Police said officers responded to a distress call on Tuesday afternoon in the Highland Creek Trail and Old Kingston Road area, where they found Avasthi with a gunshot wound. He was declared dead at the scene, making it the city’s 41st homicide this year.
In a statement, police said the suspect or suspects fled before officers arrived. Authorities have appealed to anyone with information to contact Toronto Police or Crime Stoppers.
The incident has deeply unsettled the Indian community in Canada. The Consulate General of India in Toronto expressed grief over the killing and said it is providing all necessary support to Avasthi’s family while coordinating with local authorities.
The shooting comes amid heightened concern following another recent death of an Indian national in Toronto. Last week, 30-year-old Himanshi Khurana was found dead inside a residence a day after she was reported missing. Police have since issued a first-degree murder charge against a Toronto resident in that case, stating the accused and the victim were in an intimate relationship.
The Indian Consulate has expressed sorrow over both incidents and said it remains in close contact with Canadian authorities to assist the affected families.
Also Read: Sharp Rise In Canada’s Rejection Of Indian Student Visas Raises Concerns https://www.vibesofindia.com/sharp-rise-in-canadas-rejection-of-indian-student-visas-raises-concerns/
