A 20-year-old Indian student, Harshandeep Singh, was fatally shot in an apartment in Edmonton, Canada, on Friday, police reported.
The Edmonton police have arrested two suspects, 30-year-old Evan Rain and Judith Saulteaux, and charged them with first-degree murder in connection with Singh’s death.
Singh, who was employed as a security guard, was shot at approximately 12:30 am on December 6 inside an apartment. Downtown Branch patrol officers, responding to reports of gunfire on 107th Avenue, discovered Singh unresponsive in the building’s stairwell, according to an official police statement.
CCTV footage from the incident allegedly shows three individuals harassing Singh, pushing him down the stairs, and one of them shooting him from behind with a large firearm before fleeing the scene.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) treated Singh at the scene and transported him to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) stated that a weapon was recovered during the suspects’ arrest, and an autopsy is scheduled for Monday, December 9, 2024.
Homicide Staff Sgt. Rob Bilawey noted, “The EPS does not usually release the identity of a deceased individual unless the case is confirmed as a homicide. However, we are sharing Mr. Singh’s name for investigative purposes and to address public safety concerns regarding his tragic death.”
The motive behind the murder remains unclear as investigations continue.
This incident occurred shortly after the killing of another Indian student, 22-year-old Gurasis Singh, in Sarnia, Ontario. According to Sarnia police, Gurasis, a business student at Lambton College, was stabbed to death during a physical altercation with his roommate in a shared kitchen.
The accused, 36-year-old Crossley Hunter, has been charged with second-degree murder. Police clarified that the crime was not believed to be racially motivated.
Sarnia Police Chief Derek Davis confirmed that investigations are ongoing. Lambton College expressed deep sorrow over Gurasis Singh’s death and is assisting his family with funeral arrangements and repatriation.
