A 21-year-old Indian student was fatally struck by a stray bullet in Hamilton, Ontario, while waiting at a bus stop, in what Canadian authorities are treating as a homicide investigation.
The victim, Harsimrat Randhawa, was enrolled at Mohawk College and had been on her way to work when she was caught in the crossfire of a shootout between two vehicles.
In a post on social media platform X, the Consulate General of India in Toronto confirmed the incident and expressed condolences to her family.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of Indian student Harsimrat Randhawa in Hamilton, Ontario. As per local police, she was an innocent victim, fatally struck by a stray bullet during a shooting incident involving two vehicles. A homicide investigation is currently underway. We are in close contact with her family and are extending all necessary assistance. Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved family during this difficult time,” the official message stated.
The Hamilton Police Service, in a statement, said officers received calls reporting gunfire around 7.30pm local time on Wednesday near Upper James Street and South Bend Road. Upon arrival, they found Ms Randhawa with a gunshot wound to her chest.
She was immediately rushed to hospital but succumbed to her injuries.
Police investigators, after reviewing surveillance footage, confirmed that a passenger in a black vehicle had fired shots at occupants of a white sedan. Both vehicles fled the scene shortly after the incident.
Stray bullets also entered a nearby residence where people had been watching television only a few feet away. Fortunately, no injuries were reported inside the home.
Hamilton Police have appealed to the public to provide any relevant dashcam or CCTV footage recorded between 7.15pm and 7.45pm in the vicinity of the shooting to aid the ongoing investigation.
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