Toronto police say a 28-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a random shooting on the University of Toronto’s Scarborough campus last month that left a 20-year-old student dead.
Police said Shivank Avasthi was fatally shot on a trail on the campus, near Highland Creek Trail and Old Kingston Road, at around 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 23.
Police told reporters Wednesday that they believe Avasthi was randomly targeted in the attack and he did not know the suspect prior to the homicide.
Babatunde Afuwape, 28, of Toronto, has been charged with first-degree murder in the case, police said.
Det.-Sgt. Stacey McCabe told reporters that the motive for the fatal shooting remains unclear.
“We believe he was there to kill somebody. How he chose that person, I don’t know,” McCabe said.
She said the suspect was on campus for about an hour prior to the incident and investigators do not believe he was a student at the university.
“We would like people who interacted with him at any point to contact us,” McCabe said, adding that police have already spoken to a number of witnesses.
She said the trail, known as “the valley,” was a well-populated path that was utilized by students, staff, and members of the surrounding community.
“We recognize that this incident caused a great deal of fear and concern for students, staff and members of the community, particularly those that use this trail,” McCabe noted.
“We do want to reassure the community that the person responsible is in custody.”
She said the accused was out on parole for firearms offences at the time of the shooting and he was taken into custody by police on Dec. 28 for a parole violation.
She called the homicide “a deeply tragic case.”
Avasthi was a third-year international student at the university, McCabe added.
“He was young, bright and had his whole life ahead of him,” she said.
“Our thoughts remain with his family, friends, and classmates, and everyone affected by his loss.”
U of T responds to arrest
Following the police update, U of T President Melanie Woodin and Principal Linda Johnston issued a letter to the university community.
“We know that today’s TPS update may be unsettling. We are personally heartbroken and know many of you may be feeling a range of emotions in the wake of this senseless violence,” they wrote in the letter.
Woodin and Johnston noted that supports are available and encouraged students and staff to use safety resources.
They also said that a book of condolence will be available so the community can pay tribute and share memories of Avasthi.
“We want to thank our Campus Safety teams and TPS for their dedicated efforts in making an arrest and, recognizing the impact on our community, providing ongoing additional presence on campus. We are continuing with increased patrols on the UTSC campus and in the Highland Creek Valley,” Woodin and Johnston said.
Friend remembers victim
Kashif Israr was in Avasthi’s lab group and described him as an amazing person who brought positivity.
“He just brought that chillness to the group. You’re happy to talk to him, type thing. He taught me how to do lifting in the gym. He was a very good person,” Israr told CTV News.
He added that Avasthi was also active in campus cheerleading.
“Shivank did not deserve this. I hope he gets his justice and the school changes its safety rules,” Israr said.
The shooting left Israr anxious about coming to the campus.
“Even if they install the cameras, it doesn’t matter because the thing has already happened. So, it’s just very, very, very scary,” he said.
With files from CTV Toronto’s Beth Macdonell
