20-Year-Old Indian Student Shot Dead Near University Of Toronto, Suspects On The Run

Last Updated:December 26, 2025, 10:07 IST

An Indian student was shot dead near the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus. The police said the suspects fled before officers arrived.

A photo of Shivank Avasthi, Indian student killed in Toronto (Toronto Police)

A young Indian doctoral student was shot dead near the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus, prompting a homicide investigation by the Toronto Police Service and an expression of deep anguish from the Consulate General of India in Toronto.

According to the Toronto Police Service, the incident occurred on Tuesday, December 23, 2025.

Police said they responded at approximately 3.34 pm to a call reporting an “unknown trouble" in the Highland Creek Trail and Old Kingston Road area.

Upon arrival, officers found a male victim suffering from serious injuries.

Police stated that officers “responded to reports of a person with serious injuries," following which they “located a male victim with a gunshot wound."

The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Authorities said that the suspect or suspects fled the area prior to police arrival.

The victim was identified as 20-year-old Shivank Avasthi.

The Toronto Police Service confirmed that this case marks the city’s 41st homicide of 2025.

Police have launched a homicide investigation and appealed to the public for information. Anyone with details related to the case has been asked to contact police at 416-808-7400 or reach Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477) or through www.222tips.com.

Following the incident, the Consulate General of India in Toronto issued a statement on X expressing deep sorrow over the death of the Indian student and assuring assistance to the bereaved family.

“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," the Consulate General’s X post mentioned.

It reiterated that it remains engaged with local authorities as the investigation continues and is providing all possible support to the family of the deceased.

Earlier, the Toronto Police had said that the campus was locked down during the probe into the shooting.

Police officials reiterated that the suspect or suspects involved in the killing fled the scene before officers reached the area.

Separately, the Toronto Police had earlier reported another homicide involving an Indian national in the city.

Police said a 30-year-old Indian-origin woman was found murdered in Toronto, following which a Canada-wide arrest warrant was issued for a suspect known to the victim.

The deceased was identified as Himanshi Khurana, a resident of Toronto.

Police said they were searching for Abdul Ghafoori (32), also of Toronto, in connection with the case.

According to CBC News, investigators said the incident appeared to involve “intimate partner violence."

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