20-year-old man fatally shot in valley near University of Toronto Scarborough Campus

A 20-year-old man has died after a shooting close to the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus Tuesday afternoon, authorities say.

A post on the Toronto Police Service X account initially said emergency crews were called to the Old Ring Road and Military Trail area, south of Ellesmere Road, just after 3:30 p.m. An update said the location of the incident was closer to Old Kingston Road and the Highland Creek Trail.

Officers said a person walking through the wooded trail found a victim with a serious gunshot wound. When police arrived, the victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.

In an update released on Wednesday, the victim was identified as Shivank Avasthi.

As of Wednesday afternoon, investigators had not released suspect information.

Avasthi’s death is Toronto’s 41st homicide of 2025.

UTSC lockdown lifted

An alert issued by the University of Toronto said staff received reports that the shooting happened in the Highland Creek Valley.

“Police are responding. If you are in a UTSC building, stay where you are. If you are outdoors near the site, leave the area immediately or seek safe shelter,” the alert said.

Hours later, a follow-up update from the University of Toronto said officers advised the lockdown could be lifted.

“Community members who were in campus buildings can now leave,” the alert posted shortly before 6 p.m. said.`

“The pathways into the Valley remain closed. Avoid the Valley until further notice.”

In a statement to CityNews on Wednesday, University of Toronto officials said information about on-site grief counselling and mental health supports was shared with students still in the nearby residences.

With files from Joseph Ryan

SHOOTING: UPDATE
Military Trail and Old Ring Road
3:34 pm
UPDATED LOCATION:
Highland Creek Trail and Old Kingston Rd#GO2674577
^lm

— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) December 23, 2025