Shivank Avasthi, a 20-year-old Indian doctoral student, was shot dead near University of Toronto Scarborough Campus. The concerning shooting incident came to the knowledge of Canada police when they received a call at 3:30 PM on 23 December.
The shooting incident happened near the Highland Creek Trail and Old Kingston Road. Shivank Avasthi was pronounced dead at the scene when the paramedics arrived. He died due to the fatal gunshot wound.
A student of University of Toronto Scarborough, Shivank Avasthi was in the third year and was a member of the university’s cheerleading team. The death of Shivank Avasthi, a life sciences student, marks 41st homicide incident in Canada this year. The search for the absconding shooter is ongoing. The gunman opened fire in broad daylight and fled the scene soon after.
The Indian Embassy in Toronto announced the tragic news of Shivank Avasthi's death through a post on X. The Consulate General of India 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."
The post 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.”
Shivank Avasthi's lifeless body was found by someone walking along the trail, as per investigators, The Star reported. According to police, this shooting was an isolated incident and there was no ongoing threat to the University of Toronto community and they didn’t believe there was ever an “active shooter.”
Toronto police released an image of the deceased and in its press release stated, "The Toronto Police Service is making the public aware of a Homicide investigation. On Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at approximately 3:34 p.m., police responded to a call for an Unknown Trouble in the Highland Creek Trail and Old Kingston Road area."
The University issued a series of alerts on its X account regarding a temporary lockdown following the shooting. Although the restrictions have been lifted, “The pathways into the Highland Creek valley remain closed. Avoid the Valley until TPS have reopened the area,” the University said.
People on campus were instructed to take shelter and those who were outdoors were asked to vacate the area immediately to seek safe shelter. The shelter-in-place was lifted at 6:30 PM local time.
