The family of Harsimrat Kaur Randhawa, a 21-year-old Indian student who was tragically killed by a stray bullet in Hamilton, Ontario, is urging the Indian government to help bring her body back home to Punjab. Randhawa was fatally shot while waiting at a bus stop on her way to work, caught in the crossfire during a violent clash between two groups.
Originally from Dhunda village in Punjab’s Tarn Taran district, Harsimrat had moved to Canada nearly two years ago to pursue her studies at Mohawk College. According to Hamilton Police, she was an innocent bystander in the incident, which they are now investigating as a homicide.
“She was simply following her routine when the incident took place,” the family said in a statement. “Gunfire broke out during a confrontation between two groups, and she was struck by a stray bullet, resulting in her death.”
Her family is devastated by the news. Her grandfather expressed deep sorrow, saying, “We are in shock. It’s heartbreaking to lose her like this. She was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.” Harsimrat’s father, Vikram Singh Randhawa, voiced his anguish, stating, “Had we known the law and order situation in Canada was so serious, we would never have sent our daughter there. We believed our children were safer abroad, but this tragedy proves otherwise. We demand strict action against those responsible.”
The Consulate General of India in Toronto acknowledged the tragic incident in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of Indian student Harsimrat Randhawa in Hamilton, Ontario. As per local police, she was an innocent victim, fatally struck by a stray bullet during a shooting involving two vehicles. A homicide investigation is underway. We are in close contact with her family and are providing all necessary assistance. Our prayers are with the grieving family.”
According to Hamilton Police, officers responded to reports of a shooting near Upper James Street and South Bend Road around 7:30 p.m. local time on Wednesday. When they arrived, they found Randhawa suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. She was rushed to the hospital but did not survive.
Investigators say surveillance footage shows a passenger in a black vehicle opening fire on a white sedan. Both vehicles fled the scene after the shooting. Bullets from the incident also struck a nearby home where residents were watching television, but no injuries were reported inside. Police are appealing to the public for help and are requesting anyone with dashcam or security camera footage from the area between 7:15 and 7:45 p.m. to come forward with information that could assist the investigation.
