In less than two weeks after the killing of Indian student Himanshi Khurana, 30, in Canada, another student has been shot dead near the University of Toronto Scarborough campus.

Shivank Avasthi, 20, was fatally shot by unknown attackers around 3.30 p.m. Avasthi, a doctoral student, died on the spot in the Highland Creek Trail and Old Kingston Road area, close to his university. On finding him with a gunshot wound, Toronto Police sought public’s help to identify and arrest the accused.

An official statement from the police read: “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. The suspect(s) fled the area prior to police arrival. The victim has been identified as Shivank Avasthi, 20, of Toronto.”

The Consulate General of India in Toronto responded in a statement on X that India was providing necessary assistance to Avasthi’s family, while expressing ‘deep anguish’ over his ‘tragic’ death.

“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 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 said. – editor@nrifocus.com