Toronto Police have arrested a suspect in connection with the December 23, 2025, shooting death of 20-year-old Shivank Avasthi. The announcement was made by Detective Sergeant Stacey McCabe of the Homicide and Missing Persons Unit during a media briefing.
According to police, officers responded at approximately 3:34 p.m. to reports of an “Unknown Trouble” near the Highland Creek Trail and Old Kingston Road. Upon arrival, officers found Avasthi with a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The suspect had fled before police arrived.
Shivank Avasthi, 20
The arrested individual, Babatunde Afuwape, 28, of Toronto, has been charged with first-degree murder. Afuwape was scheduled to appear at the Toronto Regional Bail Centre, 2201 Finch Avenue West, on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at 9:30 a.m., in room 103.
Babatunde Afuwape, 28
Addressing the community, Detective Sergeant McCabe said:
We recognize that this incident caused a great deal of fear and concern for students, staff, and members of the surrounding community, and we want to reassure them that the person responsible is in our custody. We believe that there may have been more people on the trail or on campus on December 23 who may have seen or interacted with the accused. If you saw this individual or had any interaction with him on December 23, we would like you to contact us.
Police are urging anyone with information to come forward to assist the investigation.