TORONTO POLICE CHARGE PAROLED MAN WITH FIRST-DEGREE MURDER IN STUDENT'S DEATH

By Festus Damilare Ukolo | Fact Frontier.
Click here to read more about the reporter.

The city's first homicide of the new year has sent shockwaves through a university community and raised urgent questions about parole supervision, as police detail a chilling, random attack on a young student. Babatunde Afuwape, a 28-year-old man who was on parole at the time, now faces a first-degree murder charge in the death of 20-year-old Shivank Avasthi, an international student killed in what investigators describe as a "planned and deliberate" act on a popular campus trail.

The Incident: An Afternoon Ambush

The tragedy unfolded on the afternoon of December 23, 2025, on the serene Highland Creek Trail, a wooded path running through the University of Toronto's Scarborough (UTSC) campus. At approximately 3:30 p.m., Avasthi was fatally shot. The location, typically used by students and community members for recreation and transit, instantly became a major crime scene. Toronto Police swiftly launched an investigation, with the homicide unit taking the lead.

The Investigation: From Parole Violation to Murder Charge

The investigation took a critical turn on December 28, when police arrested Babatunde Afuwape for a parole violation. At the time, he was on parole for previous firearm-related offences. Forensic evidence and further investigation over the following days led to a more severe accusation. On Wednesday, January 7, 2026, Toronto Police announced they had charged Afuwape with first-degree murder. He also faces several new weapons-related charges.

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In a detailed press conference, Det. Sgt. Stacey McCabe of the Toronto Police Homicide Unit revealed the disturbing nature of the crime. She stated that the evidence indicates Avasthi was not known to his alleged attacker, and that the killing appeared to be random.

We believe that he was there to kill somebody. How he chose that person, I don't know,

The Suspect: A Man on Parole

The background of the accused has become a focal point of public concern. Babatunde Afuwape was under the supervision of the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) at the time of the shooting, having been released on parole for prior crimes involving firearms. The revelation that a man under state supervision for gun crimes is now accused of using a firearm to commit murder on a university campus has sparked immediate scrutiny of parole board decisions and monitoring protocols. Police confirmed they are reviewing the circumstances of his parole as part of their investigation.

The Victim: Shivank Avasthi

The victim, Shivank Avasthi, was a third-year student at UTSC and an international student from India. Described by the university community as vibrant and engaged, he was a member of the campus cheerleading and powerlifting clubs. His death has left family, friends, and fellow students grieving a young life full of promise, cut short in a violently senseless manner. In a statement, the University of Toronto expressed profound sorrow and offered support services to traumatized students and staff.

Community Impact and Ongoing Questions

The murder has profoundly shaken the sense of safety at UTSC and in the surrounding Scarborough neighbourhood. The idea that a student could be targeted at random on a well-used campus trail in daylight has eroded feelings of security. A vigil was held on campus in early January, drawing hundreds of mourners who remembered Avasthi and called for greater safety measures.

The case continues to develop, with the police investigation ongoing. Key questions remain unanswered, including the motive behind the alleged attack and the full timeline of the suspect's activities leading up to December 23. The parole board and CSC are conducting their own internal reviews. Afuwape remains in custody and is scheduled for upcoming court appearances, where more details may emerge.