The tragic death of 21-year-old Harsimrat Kaur Randhawa, an Indian student studying in Canada, has sent shockwaves through her home village of Dhunda in Punjab's Tarn Taran district. Ms Randhawa was fatally struck by a stray bullet during a shooting incident in Hamilton, Ontario, on the evening of April 17. Her grieving family has appealed to the Indian government to expedite the process of bringing her body back to India for her final rites.
According to a statement by the Hamilton Police Service, the shooting occurred around 7:30 PM in the area of Upper James Street and South Bend Road East. Officers arrived to find Ms Randhawa suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. She was rushed to a local hospital but succumbed to her injuries shortly after.
Investigators revealed that Ms Randhawa was an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire between two vehicles — a black Mercedes SUV and a white sedan. "The passenger of the Mercedes opened fire at the sedan's occupants. Bullets not only struck Ms Randhawa but also pierced the rear window of a nearby residence where a family was watching television. Miraculously, no one inside the home was injured," said a police statement.
Authorities are actively pursuing leads and have appealed to the public for dashcam or residential surveillance footage from the area between 7:15 PM and 7:45 PM.
Ms Randhawa had moved to Canada two years ago to pursue higher education at Mohawk College. Her family described her as a bright, hardworking young woman with dreams of building a better future.
“She had gone to Canada for her studies and was simply stepping out for her daily routine when she was killed,” the family said in a statement. “We urge the Indian government to help us bring her body home as soon as possible so we can perform her last rites.”
The Consulate General of India in Toronto expressed deep condolences over the incident on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). “We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of Indian student Harsimrat Randhawa in Hamilton, Ontario. As per local police, she was an innocent victim, fatally struck by a stray bullet during a shooting incident involving two vehicles,” the Consulate posted.
It added that a homicide investigation is underway and that the Consulate is in close touch with Ms Randhawa's family, providing necessary consular support.
Mohawk College, where Harsimrat was enrolled, also issued a statement expressing sympathy. “Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this difficult time. As a member of the Mohawk College community, we know this loss is being felt by many. We will do everything we can to support Harsimrat's friends, family, and the broader college community.”
Due to privacy concerns, the college did not disclose details about her academic program or duration of enrollment.
Hamilton Police have classified the case as a homicide and continue to seek information from the public. They have urged residents and drivers in the vicinity of Upper James Street and South Bend Road East on the evening of April 17 to review any video footage they might have and share it with investigators.
As the family waits for their daughter’s body to return home, the incident highlights the growing concerns over gun violence in North America and the vulnerability of international students far from home.
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