TORONTO, Dec 26 — A 20-year-old Indian doctoral student was shot dead Tuesday near the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus, and police are investigating the case as a homicide, authorities said.
Toronto police identified the victim Wednesday as Shivank Avasthi, according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Officers were called to the area of Highland Creek Trail and Old Kingston Road around 3:30 p.m. after reports of an injured person on the ground.
“When officers arrived, they located a person suffering from a gunshot wound,” Duty Inspector Jeff Allington told reporters Tuesday night. “That individual was pronounced deceased at the scene.”
Police said the suspect fled before officers arrived. No description of the suspect has been released, and investigators have not disclosed a possible motive.
“Our immediate focus is on preserving evidence at the scene, determining what happened and notifying this individual’s next of kin,” Allington said. “Because of that, there is very little information that I am able to share with you tonight.”
The shooting occurred near a wooded area adjacent to the campus, prompting a police presence that lasted several hours. Authorities continue to examine the scene as part of the homicide investigation.
