"He told me Canada was very safe": Father of Indian student shot dead recalls

Kartik Vasudev, 21, who was shot and killed in Toronto yesterday, used to tell his father, "don't worry, Canada is a very safe country," said Jitesh Vasudev today, recalling their conversation.

Originally from Ghaziabad, Kartik Vasudev moved to Toronto in January to study a management course at Seneca College.

The incident occurred at the entrance of a subway station in Toronto on Thursday evening while Kartik was on his way to work, city police said. An off-duty paramedic responded to Kartik's injuries and took him to a nearby hospital, where he later died from the gunshot wounds, police added.

NDTV reports that a shellshocked Jitesh Vasudev told them yesterday that his son had been shot. However, he has not yet received any details.

"I have lost my son, but I want justice. I want to know what happened to my son, who shot him and what was the motive. He was just a sincere student who went there two months back. I am trying to contact Toronto police, but they are not replying," Mr Vasudev said.

According to Vasudev, the Indian consulate in Canada is working on getting Kartik's body to India, but the process is expected to take 7-8 days.

"I have not got a call or any support from the government here. A couple of things I want from the government: the body of my son be brought back as soon as possible. Secondly, I want justice, I want to know what happened, who is the culprit, he should be punished, he should be caught now," the grieving father said.

Moreover, Kartik dreamed of going to Canada. "Sometimes when I spoke to him, he would be coming back from work at around 1 am. He would tell me, 'It is very safe, nothing will happen, you don't worry.' We were very cautious and asked him, why you are coming so late, and he would say that it's a very safe city', he said.

In a downtown area, he was shot at 4.30 pm at a metro station. "I cannot believe it is a safe city," Mr Vasudev added.

An investigation into the shooting has been taken over by the homicide squad of the Toronto Police Service. Police have identified the gunman as a Black male of medium build.

Consulate General of India on Twitter said, "We are shocked & distressed at the unfortunate killing of Indian student Kartik Vasudev in a shooting incident in Toronto yesterday."

In a tweet, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed his condolences. "Grieved by this tragic incident. Deepest condolences to the family," he wrote.