Indian-Origin Tech Professional Killed in Toronto Daylight Shooting
The family of Chandan Kumar Raja Nandakumar, a 37-year-old Indian-origin tech professional hailing from Karnataka, is engulfed in profound grief following his tragic death in a brazen daylight shooting in Toronto, Canada, last Saturday. Chandan, who had repeatedly postponed his return to India, was attacked while seated inside his SUV near the Woodbine Shopping Centre entrance, close to Rexdale Boulevard, around 3:30 PM local time.
A Life Cut Short: Details of the Attack
According to Toronto Police, Chandan sustained multiple gunshot wounds during the incident and was rushed to a hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. Visuals from the scene depicted his white car riddled with bullet holes, underscoring the violence of the attack. Investigators are treating the shooting as a "targeted attack," although no arrests have been made so far, leaving the motive unclear.
Chandan hailed from Thyamagondlu village near Nelamangala in Bengaluru Rural district. A computer science graduate from Sapthagiri College, he had relocated to Canada approximately six years ago and was employed with LTI Mindtree, a subsidiary of Larsen & Toubro. Prior to this, he had worked with Cognizant in Bengaluru, building a stable career abroad through hard work and dedication.
Community Involvement and Suspicions
Friends and relatives described Chandan as an active member of the Kannada community in Toronto, where he promoted films, music, and cultural events. Some family members suspect that his efforts to form a Kannada association in the city may have played a role in the attack, though police have not confirmed any motive. His father, Nandakumar, lamented, "Had he listened to us and returned, he would have been with us now." The family was planning his marriage, and he was scheduled to visit India this summer, making the loss even more devastating.
His uncle, Murali Krishna, added, "He built a stable life abroad and worked hard. We don’t know why this happened." The killing has sent shockwaves through the Indian diaspora in Canada, marking Toronto’s third homicide this year and raising concerns among Kannadigas both in Canada and Karnataka.
Government Response and Support
Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara visited Chandan’s family in Thyamagondlu on Tuesday, offering condolences and assuring them that his body would be repatriated to India by Saturday. Parameshwara stated, "We are deeply disturbed by the incident. Chandan was a talented professional and socially committed individual, volunteering at a Sai Baba temple and helping fellow Kannadigas in Canada." He urged the Canadian government, through India’s Ministry of External Affairs, to ensure a thorough investigation into the murder, emphasizing, "Kannadigas living in Canada need not fear because of this incident. The Karnataka government is committed to their safety."
Nelamangala MLA N Srinivas, who also visited the family, pledged to cover the expenses of bringing the body home. LTI Mindtree expressed grief over the loss and confirmed it is cooperating with Toronto law enforcement while providing support to the family.
Ongoing Investigation and Appeals
Toronto Police continue to investigate the case, appealing to anyone with information about the suspects to come forward. The incident has highlighted safety concerns for the Indian community abroad, with calls for increased vigilance and justice. As the probe unfolds, Chandan’s family and friends await answers, hoping for closure in this heartbreaking tragedy that has united communities in mourning and demand for accountability.
