In a tragic incident that has sent shockwaves through the Indian community in Canada, a 20-year-old Indian student was found shot dead near the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus (UTSC). The victim has been identified as Shivank Avasthi, a third-year life sciences student. This marks the second death of an Indian national in Toronto in less than a week, reigniting serious concerns about the safety of international students abroad.
Details of the Shooting Incident
The shooting allegedly occurred on Tuesday, December 26, 2025. According to reports, Toronto Police responded to a call about an "unknown trouble" and an injured person lying on the ground near the Highland Creek Trail and Old Kingston Road at around 3:30 pm. Upon arrival, officers discovered Avasthi with a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Duty Inspector Jeff Allington confirmed that the police are treating the case as a homicide. "Our immediate focus is on preserving evidence at the scene, determining what happened and notifying this individual’s next of kin… there is very little information I’m able to share with you," Allington stated. The suspects had fled before the police arrived. As of December 26, no arrests have been made and authorities have not released any description of the suspects.
Official Response and Condolences
In New Delhi, the Ministry of External Affairs has acknowledged the tragic event. Official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the Indian government is in touch with local authorities in Canada. "We are in touch with his family. It’s very unfortunate. We convey our deepest condolences. We are also in touch with local authorities as to what were the circumstances that led to the death," Jaiswal said. This indicates active diplomatic and consular engagement following the incident.
A Pattern of Concern for Student Safety
This fatal shooting comes less than a week after a 30-year-old Indian woman was found dead at her residence in Toronto. The back-to-back tragedies have profoundly shaken the Indian diaspora in Canada and have spotlighted the ongoing issue of safety for Indian students pursuing education overseas. The incidents prompt urgent questions about community security and support systems for international students in foreign countries.
The Indian student community, particularly at UTSC, is mourning the loss of Shivank Avasthi, described as a young scholar with a promising future in life sciences. As the Toronto Police Service continues its investigation, the Indian government's involvement underscores the seriousness with which it views the safety of its citizens abroad.
