Toronto: Barely days after an Indian woman was found murdered inside an apartment in Toronto, Canada, a young doctoral student from the country was shot dead near the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus on December 23.
While the Toronto Police Service has launched a manhunt, the Consulate General of India in Toronto has expressed deep anguish over the murder.
According to the police, they responded to a call around reporting an “unknown trouble” in the Highland Creek Trail and Old Kingston Road area, around 3.34 pm.
Officers found a male victim suffering from serious injuries upon arrival at the scene. The officers “responded to reports of a person with serious injuries,” following which they “located a male victim with a gunshot wound.”
The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene, it was reported by the Toronto Police. The suspect or suspects fled the area
prior to police arrival.
The victim was identified as 20-year-old Shivank Avasthi.
The Consulate General of India in Toronto issued a statement on X expressing deep sorrow over the death of the Indian student and assuring assistance to the bereaved family.
“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 all necessary assistance in close coordination with the local authorities,” the Consulate General’s X post mentioned.
It remains engaged with local authorities as the investigation continues and is providing all possible support to the family of the deceased, the Indian mission said.
The Toronto Police had said earlier that the campus was locked down during the probe into the shooting.
Himanshi Khurana (30) was found murdered in Toronto a few days ago. A Canada-wide arrest warrant was issued for a suspect known to the victim.
The police said they were searching for Abdul Ghafoori (32), also of Toronto, in connection with the case.
Investigators told CBC News that the incident appeared to involve “intimate partner violence.”