New Delhi: Destiny dealt a cruel blow to a young Indian student in Canada as she was struck by a stray bullet and died after a shooting incident in Hamilton, a city in Ontario province.
Identified as Harsimrat Randhawa, the 21-year-old Mohawk College student was waiting at a bus stand when she was caught in a crossfire in a shooting incident involving two vehicles.
“Investigators believe the female was an innocent bystander struck by a stray bullet during a shooting in the area,” Hamilton Police said in a statement on Friday, adding that they are investigating a case of homicide.
The incident occurred at around 7.30 pm on Thursday.
The student sustained a gunshot wound to the chest and was transported to a hospital, where she succumbed to the injuries.
Footage from several videos showed that the passenger of a black Mercedes SUV fired at the occupants of a white sedan, investigators revealed. The white sedan fled the area moments after the shooting.
Bullets also penetrated the window of a nearby house, where the occupants were watching television a few feet away.
“Fortunately, no one was injured in the house,” police said.
“A homicide investigation is currently underway. We are in close contact with her family and are extending all necessary assistance. Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved family during this difficult time,” Hamilton Police said in a post on X.
“I would like to extend my condolences to Harsimrat’s family. This is a young girl who had her whole life ahead of her and tragically lost her life because some thugs picked up a gun,” Hamilton Police chief Frank Bergen said during a press conference.
“Remember, Harsimrat’s family sent her to Hamilton to prepare her for her future, and there is now an empty seat at their dinner table and an empty seat at her aunt’s house and her friend’s home,” he added.
The college pledged to be by the deceased’s family in the hour of deep crisis.
“As a member of the Mohawk College community, we know this loss is being felt by many and we will do everything we can to support Harsimrat’s friends, family and the broader college community,” a spokesperson for the institution said in a statement.
