Toronto Police confirmed that Shivank Avasthi, a 20-year-old Indian-origin doctoral student enrolled at the University of Toronto, was killed in a shooting incident on Tuesday afternoon near the university’s Scarborough campus. The attack occurred in the Highland Creek Trail and Old Kingston Road area, a location close to the campus precinct.
According to an official police statement, officers responded at approximately 3:34 pm on December 23, 2025, following a call reporting an “unknown trouble” in the area. Upon arrival, police found a male victim suffering from a gunshot wound. Despite emergency response efforts, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities later identified him as Shivank Avasthi, a Toronto resident and doctoral student.
Police said the suspect or suspects fled the area before officers arrived and remain unidentified. Investigators have appealed to the public for assistance, urging anyone with information related to the incident to come forward as the search for the attackers continues.
The killing has drawn a strong response from Indian authorities. Expressing deep sorrow, the Consulate General of India in Toronto described the incident as a “tragic” loss and confirmed that it is actively supporting the victim’s family. In a statement posted on X, the consulate said it was in close contact with local authorities and was extending all necessary assistance to the bereaved family during this difficult time.
The death of a young international student in such violent circumstances has raised renewed concerns about safety around university campuses and the vulnerability of students living abroad. As investigators work to identify those responsible, the case has underscored the far-reaching impact of gun violence, leaving a family grieving, a campus community shaken, and two nations united in mourning the loss of a promising young scholar.
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