20-Year-Old Indian Scholar Fatally Shot Near Toronto University, Police Seek Public’s Help

In Shorts

• A 20-year-old Indian student was fatally shot near the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus.
• Police have launched a manhunt as the suspect remains unidentified and at large.
• Authorities and the Indian Consulate are working together to support the victim’s family.

Toronto authorities are investigating a fatal shooting that claimed the life of an Indian student close to the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus. The victim, identified as 20-year-old Shivank Avasthi, was found with gunshot wounds on December 23 in a wooded area near Highland Creek Trail and Old Kingston Road in Scarborough. He was pronounced dead at the scene after emergency responders arrived.

Police responded to reports of an “unknown trouble” at approximately 3:34 pm on Tuesday afternoon. When officers reached the location, they discovered Avasthi unconscious and suffering from a gunshot injury. The suspect or suspects had fled the area before law enforcement arrived, and no arrest has yet been made. This incident represents Toronto’s 41st homicide of the year.

In response to the incident, campus officials briefly implemented a lockdown at the Scarborough site to assist police with their investigation. The university later lifted the alert but advised students and staff to avoid nearby trail areas while inquiries continued.

The tragic death has reverberated through both the campus community and the Indian diaspora. Students have expressed concern over safety, particularly in outdoor areas that they say lack sufficient lighting and security measures. Some peers remembered Avasthi as a positive presence on campus and as a valued member of the student community.

India’s Consulate General in Toronto issued a statement expressing “deep anguish” over the loss and reaffirmed its commitment to assisting the student’s family in cooperation with Canadian authorities. Officials are urging anyone with information about the shooting to contact Toronto Police or Crime Stoppers to aid the ongoing manhunt.

With the suspect still unidentified and at large, the investigation remains active as authorities work to uncover details about the motive behind the killing and prevent further violence in the area.