- Saturday, April 19, 2025
Harsimrat Randhawa, a student at Mohawk College in Hamilton, was struck by a stray bullet while waiting at a bus stop
By: India Weekly
A 21-YEAR-OLD Indian student was killed in Canada after she was struck by a stray bullet while waiting at a bus stop on her way to work and shots were fired by a car occupant.
Harsimrat Randhawa was a student at Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ontario.
Hamilton Police is investigating the homicide that happened Wednesday (16), saying Randhawa was an innocent bystander.
The Consulate General of India in Toronto said in a post on X Friday (18), “We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of Indian student Harsimrat Randhawa in Hamilton, Ontario.”
The official added, “As per local police, she was an innocent victim, fatally struck by a stray bullet during a shooting incident involving two vehicles. A homicide investigation is currently underway. We are in close contact with her family and are extending all necessary assistance. Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved family during this difficult time.”
Hamilton Police in a statement said that at around 7.30 pm local time, it received reports of a shooting near Upper James and South Bend Road streets in Hamilton.
When police arrived, they found Randhawa with a gunshot wound to the chest. She was rushed to a hospital, but succumbed.
Through collected video, investigators have determined that a passenger of a black car fired at the occupants of a white sedan. Shortly after the shooting, the vehicles left the scene.
Shots from the shooting incident also entered the rear window of a residence nearby where the occupants were watching television a few feet away. No one was injured in the home, police said.
Investigators are asking anyone with dashcam or security camera footage between 7.15 pm and 7.45 pm near the shooting area to contact authorities and provide any information that can help further the investigation.
Harsimrat’s family in Tarn Taran in Punjab has urged the Centre and the Punjab government on Saturday (19) for their assistance in bringing back her body.
She hailed from Dhunda village in Goindwal Sahib in the Tarn Taran district.
Her grandfather Sukhwinder Singh in Tarn Taran said Harsimrat had gone to Canada two years ago for studies.
“We came to know from our relatives yesterday (18),” he told reporters.
The family urged both governments to expedite the process to bring back her body to India. Many villagers expressed grief to the family. (PTI)
