Nigerian Man Charged With First-Degree Murder In Death Of University Of Toronto Student
✍️ By Teju/ January 8, 2026/ 8:07am
Canadian police have charged a 28-year-old Nigerian man, Babatunde Afuwape, with first-degree murder in connection with the fatal shooting of a University of Toronto student near the school’s Scarborough campus.
The victim, Shivank Avasthi, a 20-year-old third-year student from India, was found with life-threatening injuries on the Highland Creek Trail on December 23. Emergency responders pronounced him dead at the scene after receiving distress calls from the area.
Speaking at a news conference on January 7, police described the case as deeply tragic. Detective Sergeant Stacey McCabe said the victim was young, promising, and had his future ahead of him. Investigators noted that there is no evidence suggesting that the victim and the accused knew each other.
Authorities believe the killing was planned and deliberate, though the motive has not yet been determined. The incident sparked fear within the university community and among residents who regularly use the trail, prompting heightened concern about safety in the area.
Police have since reassured the public that the suspect is now in custody and does not pose an ongoing threat. Investigators are urging anyone who was on the Highland Creek Trail or around the nearby campus on the day of the incident, and who may have interacted with the accused, to come forward with information.
The case remains under investigation.
