Babatunde Afuwape arrested for murder of Canadian student

Canadian police have arrested Babatunde Afuwape, a Nigerian man, in connection with the killing of a University of Toronto student who was shot dead near the institution’s Scarborough campus.

The victim, Shivank Avasthi, 20, a third-year University of Toronto student, was killed on December 23 along the Highland Creek Trail. He was pronounced dead at the scene after officers responded to reports of a person with life-threatening injuries.

At a news conference on January 7, the Toronto Police Service confirmed that the 28-year-old Afuwape has been charged with first-degree murder.

Describing the case as tragic, Detective Sergeant Stacey McCabe of the Homicide and Missing Persons Unit said Avasthi was a young student from India with a promising future.

“Shivank was young, bright and had his whole life ahead of him. Our thoughts remain with his family, friends and everyone affected by this loss,” McCabe said.

She added that investigators do not believe the accused and the victim knew each other, noting that the killing appeared to be planned and deliberate, although no motive has been established.

Police also acknowledged that the incident sparked fear among students and residents who use the trail regularly, but reassured the community that the suspect is now in custody.

Authorities have urged anyone who was on the Highland Creek Trail or around the campus on the day of the incident and may have had contact with Afuwape to contact police