A 37-year-old Indian-origin information technology professional from Karnataka was shot dead in a suspected targeted attack at a shopping centre parking lot in Toronto, Canadian police said. The victim, identified as Chandan Kumar, was a native of Bengaluru Rural district and had been living and working in Canada for the past six years.
According to investigators, the shooting took place on Saturday, February 7, when unidentified assailants opened fire on the vehicle Kumar was travelling in at the car park of a busy mall. Police officers responded to multiple calls reporting gunfire and reached the scene to find Kumar inside a white SUV with several gunshot wounds. He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition but later died during treatment.
Authorities said the exact sequence of events that led to the attack is still under investigation. Officials have not yet confirmed how many suspects were involved or the number of shots fired. However, preliminary assessments suggest the crime may have been deliberate and targeted rather than a random act of violence. Images from the crime scene showed bullet holes in the windshield and a shattered driver-side window, indicating that Kumar was shot while seated inside the vehicle. Investigators believe the attackers may have ambushed the SUV before escaping.
Inspector Errol Watson of the Toronto Police Service said officers are continuing to gather evidence, examine surveillance footage and speak to witnesses in an effort to identify those responsible. He acknowledged that a shooting in a public place such as a shopping centre can create concern among residents about public safety. Police have appealed to members of the public to share any information, dashcam recordings or nearby surveillance footage that could assist the investigation.
The news of Kumar’s death has deeply affected his family back in India. His father, Nandakumar, is a retired schoolteacher in Karnataka. Family members said Kumar had moved to Canada in search of better career opportunities and had established himself as an IT professional with a private firm. Relatives described him as hardworking and focused on supporting his family.
The incident has drawn attention among the Indian diaspora, particularly in Bengaluru and Karnataka, where friends and acquaintances expressed shock over the sudden loss. Kumar’s death also highlights growing concerns about gun violence and safety in certain parts of Canada, even as authorities have not linked the case to any wider criminal activity.
Police confirmed that the killing marks Toronto’s third homicide of 2026. No arrests have been made so far, and the investigation remains ongoing. Officials have assured that all leads are being pursued and that further updates will be shared once more information becomes available. For Kumar’s family and community, however, the tragedy underscores the painful reality of losing a loved one far from home under violent circumstances.
