Nigerian Man Arrested for Killing University of Toronto Student Shivank Avasthi
A Nigerian man, 28-year-old Babatunde Afuwape, has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in 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,” adding that Afuwape “was there to kill somebody” but had no known connection to Avasthi. “I’m not sure how he chose Shivank or what his ultimate plan was that day,” she said.
The shooting happened on 23 December 2025 around 3:30 p.m. along Highland Creek Trail near Old Kingston Road, a route frequently used by 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 noted that Afuwape, who had been on parole for previous firearm offences, had spent about an hour on the campus before the shooting. A firearm has been recovered, and police are appealing to anyone who witnessed the attack to come forward.
“We understand this incident caused fear and concern among students, staff, and the surrounding community, and we want to reassure everyone that the person responsible is in custody,” McCabe said.
Avasthi, a third-year student from India, was remembered by friends as caring and supportive. Caitlin Whittier, a friend from the university’s cheerleading team, said, “He would do anything for the people he cared about… it was the love and friendship that I valued most about him.”
The university’s cheerleading and powerlifting clubs also paid tribute to Avasthi on social media, remembering his positive spirit and encouragement of others.
Afuwape was arrested on 28 December following a parole violation. Police stressed that the investigation is ongoing and urged anyone with information to come forward, noting that others may have been present on the trail at the time of the shooting.
The apparently random attack has shocked the campus community and renewed concerns about student safety on and near university grounds.
