Indian student, 21, shot dead by stray bullet in Canada while waiting at bus stop

A 21-year-old Indian student was killed after being struck by a stray bullet while waiting at a bus stop in Canada. The incident occurred on Thursday evening (local time) in Hamilton, Ontario.The victim has been identified as Harsimrat Randhawa, a student of Mohawk College, according to Hamilton Police.
Randhawa was hit by a stray bullet fired by a car occupant while she was waiting at a bus stop on her way to work.
Hamilton Police verified that she was not participating in any fighting and was only an ‘innocent bystander’ caught in the crossfire.“Hamilton Police are investigating after an innocent bystander was tragically killed by a stray bullet while standing at a bus stop on Upper James in #HamOnt,” read a post on X from the official account of Hamilton Police.

Hamilton Police are investigating after an innocent bystander was tragically killed by a stray bullet while standing at a bus stop on Upper James in #Hamont. Read More: https://t.co/TApLRQpxt9

— Hamilton Police (@HamiltonPolice) April 18, 2025

According to a CBC news report, the shooting incident happened near Upper James Street and South Bend Road around 7.30 pm. The police told CBC that shots were exchanged between occupants of two cars—a black Mercedes SUV and a white sedan.

Reportedly, the video footage reviewed by investigators showed that a passenger in the SUV fired at the sedan before they fled the scene.

Following the shootout, Randhawa was found at the site with a gunshot wound on her chest. Emergency responders rushed her to a local hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.

Stray bullets from the incident also entered a nearby house on Allenby Avenue. It shattered the rear windows of the home while residents were inside the home. Fortunately, there were no casualties reported at the residence.

The Consulate General of India in Toronto also issued a statement condoling Randhawa’s death. They said Harsimrat Randhawa was an innocent victim who was killed by a stray bullet during a shooting that involved two automobiles.

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The Consulate noted that it is in contact with her family and is offering all possible assistance to the mourning family.

Mohawk College also expressed deep sorrow following Randhawa’s death, the CBC report added. The college offered condolences to her family and friends at this difficult time.

The Consulate General of India assured to do everything to support Harsimrat’s friends, family and the broader college community.

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. A homicide investigation is currently…

– IndiTintoronto (@indiatoronto) April 18, 2025

Hamilton Police has launched a full-scale homicide probe and are actively seeking leads to identify those responsible. Police have appealed to the public for assistance and urged anyone with dashboard or security camera footage recorded between 7.15 pm and 7.45 pm on the day of the incident to come forward.