International student struck and killed by stray bullet in Hamilton

A 21-year-old international student from India has died in hospital of a gunshot wound after she was hit by a stray bullet in a shooting in Hamilton on Thursday, police say.

Harsimrat Randhawa, who was studying at Mohawk College, was an "innocent bystander," Hamilton police said in a news release on Friday.

Randhawa was standing at a bus stop on her way to work when gunfire erupted near Upper James Street and South Bend Road, police said in the release. Police said they received reports of the shooting at about 7:30 p.m.

When officers arrived at the scene, they found her. She had suffered a gunshot wound to the chest. Paramedics took her to hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.

"Harsimrat's family sent her to Hamilton to prepare her for her future and there is now an empty seat at their dinner table," police Chief Frank Bergen said. 

Police said investigators, after reviewing video, have determined that a passenger in a black Mercedes SUV fired at people in a white sedan.

There were at least two people in each vehicle, said Det.-Sgt. Daryl Reid. One of the rounds from the Mercedes struck and killed Randhawa, he said. 

Bullets also struck the back window of a house on Allenby Avenue, he said. People were in the home but no one was injured. 

"They're extremely fortunate," Reid said. "If that bullet had been one or two feet to the right, it would have been potentially a different story."

Shortly after the shooting, the white sedan headed north on Upper James Street while the Mercedes went west on South Bend Road. 

Gunshots also went through the rear window of a home on Allenby Avenue where people were watching television, but police said no one was injured in the home.

'She should still be here': local leaders react

The Consulate General of India in Toronto said their thoughts and prayers are with Randhawa's family in a post on X on Friday. 

"We are in close contact with her family and are extending all necessary assistance," the post said. 

Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath said she was heartbroken to learn of the shooting and thanked Hamilton police for their "swift action." 

"This senseless act of violence is devastating for our entire community," she said in a statement posted on Instagram. 

Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles said Randhawa came to the province "to study, to work hard and to build a good life," in a post on X on Friday. 

"She was only 21. She should still be here," the post read. 

'We know this loss is being felt by many,' college says

In a statement on Friday, Mohawk College said it was "deeply saddened" to learn of Randhawa's death.

"Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this difficult time," the college said in the statement.

"As a member of the Mohawk College community, we know this loss is being felt by many and we will do everything we can to support Harsimrat's friends, family and the broader college community."

Mohawk College president Paul Armstrong said the school is mourning the death of one of their own.

"An extremely tragic and absolutely unnecessary loss of a young life full of promise," Armstrong said in a tweet about the student. "My thoughts and prayers go out to her family, friends and all that knew her.

Police said anyone with dashboard or security camera video that was taken between 7:15 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. on Thursday near Upper James and South Bend is urged to come forward.