A prominent 50-year-old Punjabi entrepreneur was fatally shot on Wednesday afternoon outside his Mississauga office, authorities confirmed today, marking the city’s sixth homicide of 2025.
The victim, identified by community members as Harjit Singh Dhadda, was standing by his vehicle in the lot at the corner of Telford Way and Derry Road when two assailants suddenly emerged from a waiting car and unleashed a barrage of gunfire. Witnesses reported hearing upwards of 15 shots in rapid succession, sending startled office workers scrambling for safety.
“One moment he was casually checking his phone; the next, we heard the echo of gunshots and people diving behind pillars,” recalled one onlooker, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation. Another employee in a nearby law office narrowly escaped harm when a stray bullet pierced the glass and embedded itself in the back of a chair seconds after he had vacated it.
Dhadda was immediately transported by paramedics to a local trauma centre in critical condition but succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival. Peel Regional Police have taken over the investigation and are meticulously reviewing CCTV footage from surrounding businesses in hopes of tracing the suspects’ vehicle and firearm.
Detective Michael Stafford, speaking at a press briefing, confirmed that investigators are exploring all leads, including reported phone threats made to Dhadda in recent weeks. “We are following up on information that the victim received menacing calls from Indian phone numbers and had previously expressed concern for his safety,” Stafford said. “Our priority is to bring those responsible to justice.”
Born in the Bajpur district of Uttarakhand, India, Dhadda immigrated to Canada nearly three decades ago and built a successful career in the trucking services sector. Well regarded for his business acumen and community involvement, he leaves behind a grieving family and a tight-knit circle of colleagues and friends.
Local community leaders expressed shock and sorrow at the shooting. “Harjit was not only a successful businessman but also a pillar of support for many newcomers,” said one associate. “His loss is deeply felt throughout the Peel region.”
As investigators collect evidence and canvass for additional witnesses, police are urging anyone with information to come forward. Tips can be submitted anonymously through Peel Crime Stoppers. Meanwhile, neighbourhood watch groups have stepped up patrols, and business owners in the area are reviewing security measures, hoping to prevent further violence.
This incident underscores growing concerns about public safety in Mississauga—a city that had maintained relatively low violent crime rates until this year. With its sixth murder already on record, residents and officials alike are calling for swift action to curb the recent uptick in gun-related violence.
