Canadian authorities have charged a 28-year-old Nigerian resident in Toronto, Babatunde Afuwape, with first-degree murder following the death of a 20-year-old University of Toronto student, Shivank Avasthi, on the school’s Scarborough campus.
The Toronto Police Service announced on Wednesday that Avasthi was allegedly shot and killed on December 23 while on a frequently used trail within the university environment.
Addressing journalists at a news conference, Detective Sergeant Stacey McCabe stated that police responded to a call reporting an unknown disturbance near the Highland Creek Trail and Old Kingston Road at about 3:30 p.m. on December 23.
According to a report by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), police said, “Officers arrived at the scene and found Avasthi with a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The shooting marked Toronto’s 41st homicide of 2025.”
Investigators disclosed that efforts were ongoing to establish the motive behind the attack, adding that Afuwape and Avasthi had no prior relationship.
McCabe said available evidence suggested the incident may have been a random act.
“He was there to kill somebody, is our belief. I’m not sure how he chose Avasthi,” she said.
She further revealed that Afuwape had spent about an hour on the campus before the shooting. While his employment status remains unclear, McCabe noted that police do not believe he was enrolled as a student at the university.
Authorities also confirmed that Afuwape was arrested on December 28 for breaching parole connected to earlier firearm-related offences and was expected to appear in court earlier this week.
The victim was identified as a third-year University of Toronto student from India.
“He was young, bright, and had his whole life ahead of him. Our thoughts remain with his family, friends, and classmates,” McCabe said.
The CBC report added that tributes poured in from the university’s cheerleading and powerlifting clubs, which honoured Avasthi on social media, describing him as someone whose positive spirit encouraged those around him.
Avasthi’s close friend, Caitlin Whittier, said she met him through the University of Toronto cheerleading team.
She described him as an active team member and noted that their friendship continued even after the cheerleading season ended. Whittier said she spent his last birthday with him.
“He was absolutely supportive. He was such a wonderful person. He cared so much about his friends,” Whittier said.
“We would study together, and he would walk me back to my car late at night to make sure I got home safe. Any problems I had, he would give me the most wonderful advice. He would listen to everything, all of my concerns,” she added.
Whittier further described Avasthi as someone who “would do anything for the people he cared about,” saying his love and friendship meant the most to her.
The case adds to a list of incidents involving Nigerians living abroad who have faced murder charges.
In November, law enforcement officials in the United States arrested a 27-year-old Nigerian, Chukwuebuka Eweni, over the alleged killing of his father and the stabbing of his sisters.
The New Orleans Police Department confirmed on its website that Eweni was arrested in connection with a homicide reported on November 11, 2025, in the 8000 block of Pebble Street. One person died in the incident, while two others sustained stab wounds.
Police said the two surviving adults were taken to a local hospital, where they are receiving medical treatment.
(PUNCH)
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