Tragedy struck the Indian community in Canada this week as 21-year-old Harsimrat Kaur Randhawa, a student at Mohawk College, was fatally shot in Hamilton, Ontario. Randhawa, originally from Dhunda village in Punjab’s Tarn Taran district, was reportedly an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire during a violent clash between two vehicles. Her family is now pleading with Indian authorities to expedite the process of bringing her body home.
According to Hamilton Police, the incident occurred on the evening of April 17 around 7:30 p.m. Officers responded to reports of gunfire at the intersection of Upper James Street and South Bend Road East, where they found Randhawa suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. She was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to her injuries shortly after.
Preliminary investigations, backed by surveillance footage, revealed that the passenger of a black Mercedes SUV opened fire at a white sedan during a confrontation. Both vehicles fled the scene after the shooting. In addition to Randhawa being struck, one of the bullets entered a nearby home on Allenby Avenue, narrowly missing residents watching television. No additional injuries were reported.
Randhawa’s family said she had moved to Canada two years ago to pursue higher education and had just left for her daily routine when the incident unfolded. The family is calling on Indian officials to assist in the swift repatriation of her remains, expressing deep anguish over the senseless nature of her death.
The Consulate General of India in Toronto expressed condolences and confirmed ongoing coordination with Canadian authorities. “We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of Indian student Harsimrat Randhawa in Hamilton, Ontario,” the Consulate stated on X (formerly Twitter). “She was an innocent victim, fatally struck by a stray bullet during a shooting incident involving two vehicles. A homicide investigation is currently underway.”
Mohawk College also released a statement acknowledging the loss, offering support to grieving students and staff. “Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this difficult time. As a member of the Mohawk College community, we know this loss is being felt by many,” the college said. Due to privacy considerations, the college has not disclosed further details about her academic program.
Hamilton Police have appealed to the public for assistance and requested dashcam or surveillance footage from the area between 7:15 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. as they continue their investigation. The case has sparked renewed concerns about public safety and gun violence, as communities reel from the loss of a young life cut tragically short.
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