A 20-year-old Indian student was shot dead near the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus, in a shocking incident that has left the Indian community in Canada deeply saddened.

The victim, Shivank Avasthi, was a doctoral student. Toronto Police said his death is the 41st homicide case in the city this year.

According to police, the shooting took place on Tuesday afternoon near Highland Creek Trail and Old Kingston Road.

“In an official statement, police said:

"On Tuesday, at approximately 3:34 pm, police responded to a call for an unknown trouble in the Highland Creek Trail and Old Kingston Road area. 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 also confirmed that the suspect ran away before officers reached the spot.

"The suspect(s) fled the area prior to police arrival," the statement added.

Investigators are now asking members of the public to come forward with any information that could help arrest the accused.

India reacted strongly to the tragic killing. The Consulate General of India in Toronto said it was deeply saddened by the loss and is helping the victim’s family.

In a post on X, the Consulate said:

"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."

It added:

"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."

Another Indian national killed in Toronto last week

This incident comes just days after another Indian citizen was killed in Toronto.

Last week, 30-year-old Himanshi Khurana was found dead inside a home in the Strachan Avenue and Wellington Street West area. Her body was discovered a day after she was reported missing.

Toronto Police later issued an arrest warrant against 32-year-old Abdul Ghafoori, charging him with first-degree murder. Police said both the victim and the accused lived in Toronto and were in an “intimate partner relationship”.

Reacting to Khurana’s murder, the Indian Consulate expressed shock and offered full support to her family.

"We are deeply saddened and shocked by the murder of Himanshi Khurana, a young Indian national, in Toronto. We extend our deepest condolences to her bereaved family during this moment of profound grief."

The Consulate added:

"The Consulate has been in close touch with the matter over the past few days, and all possible assistance is being extended to the family in close coordination with local authorities."

Toronto Police are continuing their investigations in both cases. Authorities have urged anyone with information to contact the police and help bring those responsible to justice.