Indian-origin engineer from Karnataka shot dead in Canada

A 37-year-old Indian-origin tech professional from Karnataka was shot dead in a suspected targeted attack at the parking lot of a busy shopping mall in Toronto, Canada, on Saturday afternoon. The victim has been identified as Chandan Kumar Raja Nandakumar, a resident of Brampton in the Greater Toronto Area.

Chandan, a native of Thyamagondlu village near Nelamangala in Bengaluru Rural district, was seated inside his SUV when unidentified assailants opened fire near the entrance of Woodbine Shopping Centre, close to Rexdale Boulevard, around 3.30 pm local time. Toronto Police said he sustained multiple gunshot wounds and later succumbed to his injuries at a hospital. No arrests have been made so far, and a homicide investigation is underway.

Police have described the incident as a “targeted” attack, though the motive remains unclear. Some family members suspect his involvement in Kannada community activities in Toronto may have played a role, but authorities have not confirmed this.

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A computer science graduate from Sapthagiri College, Bengaluru, Chandan had moved to Canada six years ago and was working with LTI Mindtree, after previously being employed with Cognizant in Bengaluru. His killing has sent shockwaves through the Indian diaspora, especially among Kannadigas in Canada and Karnataka.

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said the state has sought the Ministry of External Affairs’ help to repatriate the body.