AI Generated Summary
- A UTSC spokesperson said the university was “extremely saddened” by the death that occurred near the campus but declined to confirm whether the victim was a student, citing the ongoing investigation.
- A 20-year-old Indian doctoral student was shot dead near the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus (UTSC) on Tuesday afternoon, prompting a homicide investigation by Toronto police and drawing expressions of grief from both university officials and Indian authorities.
- “Our immediate focus is on preserving evidence at the scene, determining what happened and notifying the individual’s next of kin,” Duty Inspector Jeff Allington told reporters near the location of the shooting on Tuesday night.
A 20-year-old Indian doctoral student was shot dead near the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus (UTSC) on Tuesday afternoon, prompting a homicide investigation by Toronto police and drawing expressions of grief from both university officials and Indian authorities.
Police were called to the area around Highland Creek Trail and Old Kingston Road at approximately 3:30 pm after receiving reports of an injured person lying on the ground. Upon arrival, officers discovered a young man suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
On Wednesday, Toronto police identified the victim as Shivank Avasthi, an Indian national pursuing doctoral studies. Investigators confirmed they are treating the case as a homicide, though details remain limited at this stage.
“Our immediate focus is on preserving evidence at the scene, determining what happened and notifying the individual’s next of kin,” Duty Inspector Jeff Allington told reporters near the location of the shooting on Tuesday night. He added that the suspect fled the area before police arrived and that no description has yet been released.
The incident triggered a safety alert from the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus, advising those inside campus buildings to remain indoors and urging people outdoors to leave the area. In a subsequent update, the university said police activity was concentrated in the Highland Creek Valley, with pathways into the valley closed until further notice.
A UTSC spokesperson said the university was “extremely saddened” by the death that occurred near the campus but declined to confirm whether the victim was a student, citing the ongoing investigation. The spokesperson also thanked campus safety staff, police, and emergency medical personnel for their swift response.
The death has reverberated beyond Canada. India’s Consulate in Toronto expressed “deep anguish” over the fatal shooting, stating that it is in contact with the bereaved family and working closely with local authorities to provide necessary assistance.
