A young security guard, Harshandeep Singh, was tragically killed while patrolling an Edmonton apartment building, just three days into his new job. The 20-year-old, who came to Canada 18 months ago from Haryana, India, on a student visa, was studying at NorQuest College. Singh’s death has left his family and community in mourning.
Singh was discovered unresponsive by police responding to a gunshot report early Friday morning in a downtown Edmonton apartment building. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital. Authorities have charged two individuals, Evan Rain, 30, and Judith Saulteaux, 30, with first-degree murder in connection with the case. Police recovered a weapon during the arrests and believe no one else was involved. An autopsy is scheduled to confirm the cause of death.
Family spokesperson Gagandeep Singh Ghuman shared the immense grief Singh’s relatives are enduring, with his parents in India yet to fully comprehend the news. Singh’s aunt and uncle, residing in Winnipeg, have traveled to Edmonton to support the investigation and arrange for his last rites. A GoFundMe campaign has raised over $120,000 to cover funeral expenses and send Singh’s body back to India.
The tragedy has sparked concerns about the training and safety of security guards, particularly newcomers unfamiliar with dangerous neighborhoods. Ghuman emphasized the lack of awareness many immigrants face, saying, “Newcomers don’t have that training… they don’t know how to handle these situations.”
National Security Guard Protection Services, Singh’s employer, expressed their condolences in a Facebook post but refrained from commenting further due to the ongoing investigation.
The incident has drawn national attention, with Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi condemning the violence and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre linking Singh’s death to rising crime rates. Both expressed condolences to Singh’s grieving family and community.
As police continue their investigation, this tragedy has highlighted the vulnerabilities faced by newcomers to Canada and the need for better safety measures for those working in high-risk jobs.
