Harsimrat Randhawa was a 21-year-old Indian student living in Hamilton, Ontario. She was pursuing her studies at Mohawk College and working part-time to support herself. On April 17, 2025, while waiting at a bus stop, she was fatally struck by a stray bullet during a shooting between two vehicles.
The incident happened around 7:30 PM near Upper James Street and South Bend Road. A passenger in a black car fired shots at a white sedan. One of the bullets hit Randhawa in the chest. She had no connection to either vehicle. Emergency services rushed her to a hospital, but she died from her injuries.
Hamilton Police said other bullets from the scene entered a nearby home where people were watching television. No one in the house was hurt. Police have classified the case as a homicide and are reviewing surveillance footage. They urged anyone with dashcam or security camera recordings between 7:15 and 7:45 PM that day to come forward.
This case has highlighted a growing concern over the safety of international students in Canada. Randhawa’s death is the fourth violent death of an Indian student in Canada in the last four months. Similar killings have taken place in Ontario and Alberta. Parents and students are growing anxious as violent crime rises in Canadian cities.
Who was Harsimrat Randhawa?
Harsimrat was originally from India and had come to Canada to pursue her education and build a future. She enrolled at Mohawk College in Hamilton and took up part-time work, like many international students, to support her daily life. Friends and classmates describe her as focused and hardworking.
She was standing at a bus stop after finishing work when she was hit by the stray bullet. She became an unintended victim in a violent shootout that had nothing to do with her. Her sudden death has sent shockwaves through the Indian student community and raised questions about gun violence in Canadian urban areas.
The Consulate General of India in Toronto confirmed her death in a post on X and said that it is providing assistance to her family. It added that Harsimrat was “an innocent victim” and that a homicide investigation is underway. Indian officials have said they are in close contact with Canadian authorities.
Police have not made any arrests so far. Investigators are still collecting evidence, including video from nearby security cameras. No motive has been confirmed, but officials suspect gang activity may have played a role in the shootout.
This case has once again raised concerns about how safe Canada is for international students. While families invest heavily to send their children abroad, cases like this create fear and uncertainty. Randhawa’s death is not just a personal tragedy — it reflects a growing problem that affects thousands of young immigrants looking for a better life.
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