Toronto police to update investigation into the fatal shooting of a 20-year-old U of T student near Scarborough campus
Toronto Police to Update on Homicide of Shivank Avasthi
Toronto police will provide an update on the homicide of 20-year-old Shivank Avasthi. Avasthi was a student at the University of Toronto (U of T) and was shot near the Scarborough campus just before Christmas.
Investigators will brief the media at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday.
Details of the Incident
| Date | Time | Location | Victim | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec. 23, 2025 | 3:30 p.m. | Highland Creek Valley | Shivank Avasthi | Deceased |
Avasthi was found fatally shot along a paved trail in the Highland Creek Valley, close to the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) campus. Officers responded to reports of “unknown trouble” and discovered Avasthi with a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police reported that the suspect fled before officers arrived, and no arrests have been made. Avasthi’s death was the 41st homicide in Toronto for 2025.
Community Response
Toronto police have asked for witnesses, dashcam footage, or surveillance video from the Highland Creek area on the afternoon of Dec. 23.
According to the Varsity, U of T’s student newspaper, Avasthi was a third-year life sciences student at UTSC. He was also a member of the campus cheerleading team and an executive with the powerlifting club. A memorial space is being set up on campus near the humanities wing steps. Students will be able to leave flowers and messages in the coming days.
