A 37-year-old Indian-origin software professional from Karnataka, Chandan Kumar Raja Nandakumar, was shot dead in a suspected targeted attack at a busy shopping mall parking lot in Toronto on Saturday. The victim, who had been living in Canada for six years and working with LTI Mindtree, was sitting inside his SUV when unidentified assailants opened fire in broad daylight.
Toronto Police have launched a homicide investigation and believe the killing was deliberate, though no arrests have been made and no motive has yet been confirmed. The incident has devastated his family in India and sent shockwaves through the Indian and Kannada diaspora in Canada. Karnataka officials and India’s Ministry of External Affairs are coordinating efforts to repatriate his body, while investigators continue to appeal for witnesses and evidence.
Brazen Daylight Shooting at Busy Shopping Centre
The fatal shooting took place at around 3:30 pm local time on Saturday near the entrance of Woodbine Shopping Centre in Toronto, one of the city’s bustling commercial hubs. According to the Toronto Police Service (TPS), officers rushed to the scene after receiving emergency calls about gunfire in the parking area. When they arrived, they found Nandakumar critically injured inside his white Hyundai SUV with multiple gunshot wounds.
He was immediately transported to a nearby hospital, but despite emergency medical intervention, he later succumbed to his injuries. Visuals from the scene showed his vehicle riddled with bullet holes, particularly on the driver’s side, suggesting a carefully planned and focused attack. Police officials have since stated that the nature of the crime indicates it was likely “targeted” rather than random.
TPS Inspector Errol Watson acknowledged the public alarm caused by the incident. “I can understand how a shooting like this, especially at a mall, can cause concern for the safety of the public,” he said while addressing the media.
Investigators have launched an extensive probe, collecting CCTV footage from nearby establishments and appealing to anyone with information to come forward. The suspects reportedly fled the scene in a vehicle and remain at large. The killing marks Toronto’s third homicide this year and has reignited concerns over public safety in the city.
A Life Cut Short: Family in Karnataka Left Heartbroken
For Nandakumar’s family in Thyamagondlu village near Nelamangala, about 47 kilometres from Bengaluru, the news has been nothing short of devastating. The 37-year-old was the only son of his parents, who had been eagerly awaiting his return to India later this year.
His father recalled their final conversation with painful clarity: “We spoke to him last Friday. He said he would take leave and come home this summer. We were planning for his marriage. We are completely shattered.”
Family members revealed that Chandan had repeatedly postponed his plans to return home due to professional commitments. “Had he listened to us and returned, he would have been with us now,” his grieving father lamented. Relatives described him as a hardworking and soft-spoken individual who had built a stable life in Canada through sheer determination.
A computer science graduate from Sapthagiri College in Bengaluru, Nandakumar had moved to Canada about six years ago. He worked as an IT professional with LTI Mindtree, a subsidiary of Larsen & Toubro, and had earlier been employed with Cognizant in Bengaluru. Friends say he was well regarded in professional circles and was actively involved in Kannada cultural activities in Toronto, helping organise community events and promote regional films and music.
Some relatives have speculated that his efforts to form a Kannada association in Toronto may have angered certain individuals, though police have not indicated any such connection or confirmed a motive. His uncle Murali Krishna expressed the family’s confusion and grief: “He built a good life abroad and worked hard. He was the only son. We don’t know why this happened.”
In Karnataka, political leaders have expressed condolences and assured support to the bereaved family. State Home Minister G Parameshwara said, “We are disturbed by the incident. We have lost a Kannadiga. Our police department has already sought the help of the Ministry of External Affairs to bring back the body.” Chikkaballapura MP Dr K Sudhakar confirmed that he is personally coordinating with MEA officials to expedite the repatriation process.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The tragic and untimely death of a young professional thousands of miles away from home is a heartbreaking reminder of how vulnerable human life can be, even in seemingly safe and developed societies. Chandan Nandakumar’s killing has not only robbed a family of their only son but has also shaken the sense of security felt by countless immigrants who leave their homeland in search of better opportunities.
While it is essential that Canadian authorities conduct a swift, transparent, and thorough investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice, it is equally important to avoid speculation or the spread of unverified theories that may deepen fear and mistrust. Incidents like these demand empathy, responsible dialogue, and stronger collaboration between communities, law enforcement, and governments.
