A 21-year-old internation student tragically lost her life after she was struck by a stray bullet during gunfire on Upper James, in Hamilton, Ontario.
Hamilton Police identified her as Harsimrat Randhawa from India. Harsimrat was studying at Mohawk College and was standing at the bus stop on her way to work when she was killed, the police informed.
The police said in a press release that on April 17, 2025, at approximately 7:30 p.m., Hamilton Police received reports of a shooting near Upper James and South Bend Road. When police arrived, they found a 21-year-old female with a gunshot wound to the chest. She was transported to hospital and later died from her injuries. She was later identified as Harsimrath.
According to Indian media reports, Harsimrath was from Taran Taran district.
Through collected video, investigators have determined that the passenger of a black Mercedes SUV fired at the occupants of a white sedan. Shortly after the shooting, the white sedan fled northbound on Upper James and the Mercedes travelled westbound on South Bend.
Shots also entered the rear window of a residence on Allenby Avenue where the occupants were watching television a few feet away. Fortunately, no one was injured in the home.
Investigators are asking anyone with dashcam or security camera footage between 7:15 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. near Upper James and South Bend to contact Sergeant Alex Buck at 905-546-4123. If you know something that can help further the investigation, please contact police.
To provide information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit your anonymous tips online at www.crimestoppers.com.
Meanwhile, the Indian consulate in Toronto confirmed the incident and expressed condolences.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of Harsimrat in Hamilton, Ontario. As per the local police, she was an innocent victim, fatally struck by a stray bullet during a shooting incident involving two vehicles. A homicide investigation is currently underway. We are in close contact with her family and are extending all necessary assistance. Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved family during this difficult time,” the consulate said.
he family of the student has urged the Centre and the Punjab Government for their assistance in bringing back her body.
“We came to know from our relatives. She was standing on the road and then a bullet hit her,” Harsimrat’s grandfather Sukhwinder Singh in said Tarn Taran. The family urged both governments to expedite the process to bring back her body to India.
