The killing of Indian-origin PhD scholar Shivank Avasthi has sparked concern over the safety of international students in Canada, as investigations continue with no arrests so far.
BY PC Bureau
December 26, 2025: An Indian-origin student pursuing his studies at Canada’s University of Toronto was shot dead near the campus in what authorities have described as a targeted act of violence. The fatal incident has sent shockwaves through the Indian student community in the country, prompting expressions of grief and concern from Indian diplomatic officials.
The victim, identified as Shivank Avasthi, was a 20-year-old doctoral student at the University of Toronto. He was found suffering from a gunshot wound on Tuesday afternoon, police said, adding that the attackers fled the scene before officers arrived.
In an official statement, Toronto Police said they responded to a distress call shortly after 3.30 pm on Tuesday, December 23, 2025.
“On Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at approximately 3.34 pm, police responded to a call for an Unknown Trouble in the Highland Creek Trail and Old Kingston Road area,” the statement said.
A 20-year-old Indian student was shot dead near the University of Toronto’s Scarborough Campus, with the police seeking the public’s help to arrest the accused.
Shivank Avasthi, a doctoral student, was found with a gunshot wound on Tuesday, in what the police said was Toronto’s… pic.twitter.com/YYIFnnl9CK
— KV Iyyer – BHARAT 🇮🇳🇮🇱 (@BanCheneProduct) December 26, 2025
Officers arriving at the location found a young man with critical injuries.
“Officers responded to reports of a person with serious injuries. Officers located a male victim with a gunshot wound. The victim was pronounced deceased on scene,” police said.
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The victim was later identified as Shivank Avasthi, a Toronto resident. Investigators confirmed that the suspect or suspects had fled prior to police arrival, and no arrests have been made so far. Authorities are now appealing to members of the public for information that could help identify and apprehend those responsible for the shooting.
Meanwhile, India has expressed deep sorrow over the killing of the young student. The Consulate General of India in Toronto said it was in close contact with Canadian authorities and was extending full support to Avasthi’s 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 said in a post on X.
“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,” it added.
The incident has renewed concerns over the safety of international students in Canada, even as police continue their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting.
