A Nigerian man, 28-year-old Babatunde Afuwape, has been charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of 20-year-old University of Toronto student Shivank Avasthi on the Scarborough campus last month.
Detective Sergeant Stacey McCabe described the attack as “planned and deliberate,” saying Afuwape “was there to kill somebody,” but there was no known link between him and Avasthi. “I’m not sure how he chose Shivank or what his ultimate plan was that day,” she said.
The incident occurred on 23 December 2025 at around 3:30 p.m. along Highland Creek Trail near Old Kingston Road, a path commonly used by students. Avasthi was found with a gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene. His death marked Toronto’s 41st homicide of the year.
Police said Afuwape, who had been on parole for previous firearm offences, had spent about an hour on the campus before the shooting. A firearm has been recovered, and authorities are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the attack to come forward.
“We understand this incident caused fear and concern among students, staff, and the surrounding community, and we want to reassure everyone that the person responsible is in custody,” McCabe said.
Avasthi, a third-year student from India, was remembered by friends as a kind and caring individual. Caitlin Whittier, a friend from the university’s cheerleading team, said, “He would do anything for the people he cared about… it was the love and friendship that I valued most about him.”
The university’s cheerleading and powerlifting clubs also paid tribute to Avasthi on social media, highlighting his encouragement and positive influence on others.
Afuwape was arrested on 28 December following a parole violation. Police emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and encouraged anyone with information to come forward, noting that others may have been on the trail at the time of the shooting.
The apparently random attack has shaken the campus community and raised renewed concerns about student safety on and around university grounds.
