Consulate expresses grief over Indian student's murder in Canada

The Consulate General of India in Canada’s Toronto on Thursday (local time) expressed anguish over the killing of an Indian student in a shooting incident near the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus. "We express deep anguish over the tragic death of a young Indian doctoral student, 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 said.

Earlier on Tuesday (local time), the Toronto Police said Shivank Avasthi was gunned down in the Highland Creek Trail and Old Kingston Road area. The police rushed to the spot, finding the victim with a gunshot wound before he was pronounced dead at the scene, the Toronto Sun reported. Police officials said the suspects fled the scene before police arrived. The campus was locked down during the probe.

Another Indian student killed in Toronto, Canada.

The victim was identified as 20-year-old Shivank Avasthi, who was shot dead near the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus.

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

They… https://t.co/OvvlVh9vpy pic.twitter.com/QcVwt1pSok

— Vani Mehrotra (@vani_mehrotra) December 26, 2025

According to the Toronto Sun, this was Toronto's 41st homicide of the year. And it was the second death of an Indian in the city due to a crime in a matter of days. Earlier, Toronto Police said a 30-year-old Indian-origin woman was found murdered in the city and that a Canada-wide arrest warrant has been issued for a suspect who was known to the victim.