Toronto police have charged 28-year-old Babatunde Afuwape with first-degree m3rder in connection with the fatal shooting 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 investigators believe Afuwape “was there to k!ll somebody,” but noted there was no known connection between him and Avasthi. “I’m not sure how he chose Shivank or what his ultimate plan was that day,” she told reporters.
The shooting occurred on 23 December 2025 at around 3:30 p.m. along Highland Creek Trail near Old Kingston Road, a popular route for 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.
McCabe said Afuwape, who had previously been on parole for firearm offences, was on the campus for about an hour before the attack. Police have recovered a firearm and are asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident to come forward.
“We recognise that this incident caused a great deal of fear and concern for students, staff, and members of the surrounding community, and we want to reassure them that the person responsible is in our custody,” McCabe added.
Avasthi, a third-year student from India, was remembered by friends and classmates as kind and caring. Caitlin Whittier, a friend from the university’s cheerleading team, described him as “absolutely supportive… a wonderful person who cared so much about his friends.” She recalled how he would look out for her on late-night walks and offer guidance whenever needed. “He would do anything for the people he cared about, and it was just the love and friendship that I valued most about him,” she said.
The university’s cheerleading and powerlifting clubs also paid tribute to Avasthi on social media, highlighting his positive spirit and encouragement of others.
Afuwape was arrested on 28 December following a parole violation. Police said the investigation is ongoing and urged anyone with information to come forward, noting that there may have been other individuals on the trail at the time who could assist with inquiries.
The seemingly random shooting has deeply shaken the campus community, raising renewed concerns about student safety on and around university grounds.
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