‘Was there to kill somebody’: Police say slaying of 20-year-old U of T student appears to be random
Posted January 7, 2026 5:15 am.
Last Updated January 7, 2026 5:41 pm.
Toronto police say the gunman who killed 20‑year‑old University of Toronto (U of T) student Shivank Avasthi in a Scarborough ravine days before Christmas “was there to kill somebody,” with investigators believing it points to a random, unprovoked act of violence.
Officers were called to the area of Highland Creek Trail and Old Kingston Road around 3:30 p.m. on December 23 for reports of “unknown trouble.” Avasthi was found suffering from a gunshot wound along a paved trail in the Highland Creek Valley, just steps from the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) campus. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
“He was young, bright and had his whole life ahead of him,” said Detective Sergeant Stacey McCabe.
Babatunde Afuwape, 28, was arrested in connection with Avasthi’s murder. Sgt. McCabe said the shooting appears to be random, as the accused and the victim were not known to each other.
“It is our belief that this was a planned and deliberate act by the accused,” said Sgt. McCabe. “We have not yet found a motive for why Shivank was targeted.”
Police said Afuwape was on parole for firearm offences at the time of the shooting, and court records show he was arrested for a parole violation on Dec. 28.
“I think [Afuwape] was looking to target someone,” Sgt. McCabe noted. “Our investigation has revealed he was there to kill somebody, is our belief. I am not sure how he chose Shivank or what his ultimate plan was that day.”
Community grapples with shocking death
Police officers on horseback were visible on campus Wednesday as the community grapples with the shocking details of this investigation.
“Shivank did not deserve this, and I hope he gets his justice,” says Kashif, who was a good friend of the victim. The pair were lab partners and worked out together. He tells CityNews most of the buildings were closed for the holidays, but Shivank was there on that fateful afternoon to meet a professor.
Kashif says it has been tough returning to school.
“He just brought positivity to every group, he was such an amazing and chill person. He was very spiritual. I used to talk to him about God,”
Online tributes are also pouring in for Avasthi, who was a member of the cheer squad and an executive of the power-lifting team. One message reads, “You were more than just a teammate, you were someone who brought warmth, laughter, and light into every room you entered.”
In the wake of the killing, students have started a petition calling for better security, including on the busy trail where Avasthi lost his life. It had garnered more than 1,600 signatures as of Wednesday afternoon.
“They should make this building a t-card access so we know the people we are walking with actually goes to this university,” said Kashif.
“Some of my friends are thinking of moving campuses. They don’t want to come here anymore.”
U of T president Melanie Woodin called Avasthi’s death a “senseless act of violence,” adding the suspect arrested is not a student at the university.
“We are continuing with increased patrols in the area and working to identify any additional measures that may be needed to ensure the safety of our campus communities,” she said in a statement.
Avasthi’s death marked Toronto’s 41st homicide of 2025.
Sgt. McCabe said homicide detectives believe there may have been more people using the trail near the Scarborough campus at the time of the shooting.
Authorities are urging anyone with additional information to come forward.
Shauna Hunt contributed to this report
