AI Generated Summary
- His parents, who reside in Punjab, are grappling with the sudden loss of their only son—a young man who had travelled abroad in pursuit of a better future, only to have his life cut short in an act of senseless violence.
- After completing a business degree in Ontario, he relocated to Alberta, where he was working in the construction sector while planning to start his own business.
- A 22-year-old international student from Punjab was shot dead in a shocking incident on a highway near Edmonton, Canada, raising concerns about public safety and possible hate-motivated violence.
A 22-year-old international student from Punjab was shot dead in a shocking incident on a highway near Edmonton, Canada, raising concerns about public safety and possible hate-motivated violence.
Birinder Singh was travelling with two close friends on Saturday afternoon, heading toward Alberta’s Rocky Mountains for what was meant to be a day of leisure, when tragedy struck. The group had set out for Banff, making the most of a rare break from work.
According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the incident occurred shortly before 3 p.m. near Leduc, just south of Edmonton. Singh was driving a Honda Civic when a pickup truck approached their vehicle. An individual inside the truck allegedly opened fire before fleeing the scene.
Police later traced the suspect vehicle to a Ford F-150, but no arrests have been made so far. Investigators say the attack appears to be random, though all angles—including the possibility of a hate crime—are being examined.
A friend who was present during the shooting described the horrifying sequence of events. He said the occupants of the pickup truck initially gestured toward them, which they interpreted as a friendly interaction.
“We waved back, thinking it was harmless,” he said. “Within moments, the truck sped ahead, slowed down again, and then a shot was fired.”
The bullet shattered the rear window of Singh’s car and struck him in the neck. Despite the critical injury, Singh managed to bring the vehicle to a stop with assistance from his friends. Emergency services arrived promptly, but he succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
“He died in my arms,” the friend said, recounting the incident with visible distress.
The attack has left Singh’s companions deeply shaken. They say they no longer feel safe stepping out, constantly looking over their shoulders.
“We grew up hearing that Canada is one of the safest countries,” the friend added. “But now, every time we go out, we are afraid.”
Singh had moved to Canada three years ago as an international student. After completing a business degree in Ontario, he relocated to Alberta, where he was working in the construction sector while planning to start his own business.
Described as a quiet and hardworking young man, Singh was also remembered for his warmth and sense of humour among close friends. “He liked his own space, but when he was with us, he would make everyone laugh,” his friend said. “Now everything feels empty.”
The World Sikh Organisation of Canada has urged authorities to probe the incident as a possible hate crime. Singh’s friend also questioned whether the group may have been targeted because of their identity, saying they had no prior disputes or altercations.
“We don’t understand why this happened,” he said. “Are we not the same as everyone else?”
Adding to their grief, the friends said they have encountered hateful comments online in the aftermath of the incident, intensifying their sense of fear and loss.
Meanwhile, arrangements are being made to repatriate Singh’s body to India. His parents, who reside in Punjab, are grappling with the sudden loss of their only son—a young man who had travelled abroad in pursuit of a better future, only to have his life cut short in an act of senseless violence.
