By Lakshmi Jyothish
The Consulate General of India in Toronto has expressed “deep anguish” over the killing of an Indian student in a shooting incident in the city, saying it is in close coordination with Canadian authorities and extending all possible assistance to the bereaved family.
The reaction came after Toronto Police confirmed that an Indian student was shot dead on Tuesday in the Highland Creek Trail and Old Kingston Road area, near the University of Toronto Scarborough campus. Police said officers responded to reports of gunfire in the area and found the victim with a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene, and the case is being investigated as a homicide.
In a statement shared on social media, the Indian Consulate said it was “deeply anguished by the tragic death of a young Indian student in a fatal shooting incident in Toronto” and added that it is in touch with the victim’s family to provide consular support during the investigation.
According to Canadian media reports, police have not released details about the suspect or the motive behind the shooting. Investigators said the suspect fled the scene before officers arrived and have appealed to the public for information, including dashcam or CCTV footage from the area around the time of the incident.
The Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi also acknowledged the incident, saying the Indian mission in Toronto is working closely with local authorities and the community to ensure assistance to the family and to gather further details about the case.
The killing has sparked concern among Indian students and members of the Indian diaspora in the Greater Toronto Area, with several community members expressing unease over safety near campus-adjacent trails and public spaces. Canada hosts a large population of Indian students, particularly in Ontario, and incidents involving their safety often draw diplomatic attention.
Toronto Police said the investigation is ongoing and that further updates will be shared as more information becomes available.