Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Canadian police arrest, charge Babatunde Afuwape over murder of university student

The 20-year-old Shivank Avasthi was murdered on December 23, 2025.

• January 7, 2026
Babatunde Afuwape
Babatunde Afuwape

Canadian police have arrested and charged Babatunde Afuwape over the murder of Shivank Avasthi, a 20-year-old university student.

Detective Sergeant Stacey McCabe of the Homicide and Missing Persons Unit announced that the Toronto Police Service arrested and charged Mr Afuwape in connection to the murder of 20-year-old Shivank Avasthi on December 23, 2025.

“Babatunde Afuwape, 28, of Toronto, has been arrested and charged with: First Degree Murder,” the police statement circulated alongside the accused’s mugshot reads.

Mr Afuwape “was scheduled to appear in court at the Toronto Regional Bail Centre, 2201 Finch Avenue West, on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at 9:30 a.m., in room 103.”

Mr McCabe said, “We recognise that this incident caused a great deal of fear and concern for students, staff, and members of the surrounding community, and we want to reassure them that the person responsible is in our custody.”

He added, “We believe that there may have been more people on the trail or on campus on December 23 that may have seen or interacted with the accused. If you saw this individual or had any interaction with him on December 23, we would like you to contact us.”

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