January 8, 2026 | News | SUNTV Global Channel
Toronto Police have formally charged a 28-year-old Nigerian-Canadian man, Babatunde Afuwape, in connection with the fatal shooting of a University of Toronto undergraduate student, an incident that has shaken the university community and raised serious public safety concerns in Toronto’s east end.
At a press briefing held at police headquarters on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, detectives confirmed that Afuwape has been charged with First-Degree Murder in the death of Shivank Avasthi, a 20-year-old third-year student enrolled at the University of Toronto.
According to investigators, Avasthi was shot and killed on the afternoon of Tuesday, December 23, 2025, while walking along the Highland Creek Trail near Old Kingston Road, a popular path frequently used by students, joggers, and local residents near the university’s Scarborough campus.
Police said officers responded to a call reporting “unknown trouble” at approximately 3:34 p.m. Upon arrival, first responders discovered the young student suffering from a gunshot wound. Despite emergency efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities said the suspect fled the area before police arrived, triggering an intensive manhunt.
Describing the killing as “deeply tragic,” Detective Sergeant Stacey McCabe of the Toronto Police Homicide and Missing Persons Unit said the victim was an international student from India who had a promising academic and professional future.
“Shivank was a third-year University of Toronto student from India. He was young, bright, and had his whole life ahead of him,” McCabe told reporters.
“Our thoughts remain with his family, friends, classmates, and all those affected by this senseless loss.”
University sources and classmates described Avasthi as hardworking and focused on his studies, adding to the shock and grief that spread across the campus following news of his death.
Police stated that there is no evidence to suggest the accused and the victim were known to each other. Investigators believe the shooting was planned and deliberate, though they have yet to establish a motive or explain why Avasthi was targeted.
“Based on our investigation, we do not believe the accused and the victim were known to one another,” McCabe said.
“It is our belief that this was a planned and deliberate act by the accused. At this time, the motive remains unclear.”
Afuwape, a Toronto resident, was taken into custody following weeks of investigation. He was scheduled to appear before the Toronto Regional Bail Centre at 2201 Finch Avenue West on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, to face the charges against him.
The shooting sparked widespread fear among students, university staff, and local residents, particularly those who regularly use the Highland Creek Trail and surrounding campus areas.
Police acknowledged the anxiety caused by the incident and reassured the public that the suspect is now in custody.
“We recognize that this incident caused a great deal of fear and concern among students, staff, and members of the surrounding community,” McCabe said.
“We want to reassure everyone that the person responsible for this homicide is now in police custody.”
Investigators continue to appeal to the public for assistance, stating that there may be witnesses who saw or interacted with the accused on the day of the shooting.
Authorities are urging anyone who was on or near the Highland Creek Trail, or in nearby campus areas on December 23, 2025, to contact Toronto Police, stressing that even small details could be crucial to the ongoing investigation.
As the case moves through the judicial process, the University of Toronto community and residents of Scarborough continue to mourn the loss of a young life cut short, while questions remain about the motive behind the killing.
