New Delhi: A 20-year-old Indian student was shot dead near the University of Toronto Scarborough campus, sending shockwaves through the student community and prompting an outpouring of grief from Indian authorities. The victim has been identified as Shivank Avasthi, an Indian doctoral student who had been living and studying in Toronto.
Toronto police said the shooting took place on Tuesday in the Highland Creek Trail-Old Kingston Road area, close to the campus. Officers responding to the scene found Avasthi suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead on the spot. The suspects had already fled by the time police arrived, and a brief lockdown was imposed on the campus as officers searched the surrounding area.
The incident has been recorded as Toronto’s 41st homicide this year, underscoring growing concerns about violent crime in parts of the city.
The Consulate General of India in Toronto expressed deep anguish over Avasthi’s death. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), the Consulate said it was in touch with the bereaved family and was extending all possible assistance while coordinating closely with local authorities. The statement described the killing as a tragic loss of a young Indian student with a promising future.
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…
— IndiainToronto (@IndiainToronto) December 25, 2025
Students raise safety concerns on campus
The killing has sparked fear and anger among students at the University of Toronto Scarborough. On social media platforms, students described the shooting as having occurred in broad daylight in a campus valley frequently used by students. Several posts criticised what they called inadequate security measures and said concerns about safety had been raised earlier but not addressed.
Students also expressed frustration over the limited information available about the suspects and the motive, saying many now feel unsafe returning to campus, particularly for late classes or exams.
The shooting comes just days after another violent case involving an Indian national in Toronto, where a 30-year-old woman of Indian origin was found murdered. Police are continuing investigations in both cases as concerns grow within the community.