Indo-Canadian IT professional gunned down in brazen daylight attack at Toronto mall

A 37-year-old Indo-Canadian IT professional was shot dead in a targeted, daylight attack in the parking lot of a bustling shopping centre in Toronto’s Etobicoke area, sending shockwaves through a neighbourhood known for its family-friendly atmosphere and marking the city’s third homicide of the year.

The victim, Chandan Kumar Raja Nandakumar, a Brampton resident originally from Karnataka, India, was ambushed recently outside Woodbine Shopping Centre, near Rexdale Boulevard and Highway 27. Toronto Police said the shooting occurred at around 3.31 pm, a peak hour when the mall was crowded with shoppers.

Officers responding to reports of gunfire found Nandakumar critically injured inside or near a white Hyundai SUV. He was rushed to hospital but succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds.

Disturbing crime-scene images showed the SUV’s driver-side windshield riddled with around 10 bullet holes, shattered glass scattered across the pavement, and personal items — including a blood-stained yellow jacket and a lone sneaker — lying nearby. Witnesses reported hearing several shots before the suspects fled the scene in a vehicle.

The Toronto Police Homicide Unit has classified the killing as targeted, ruling out a random act. Inspector Errol Watson acknowledged the incident would raise public concern and appealed for witnesses to come forward, saying investigators were canvassing the area for CCTV footage and other evidence to piece together the sequence of events.

Shoppers at the mall described scenes of confusion and disbelief. One witness said the area is typically busy and safe for families, while another noted many people were unaware of the shooting until police sealed off the premises.

Nandakumar had been living in Canada for around six years and was employed in the IT sector. His father, Nandan Kumar, speaking from Nelamangala near Bengaluru, has appealed for government assistance to repatriate his son’s body and ensure a thorough investigation into the killing.

As of now, no arrests have been made, and police have not released any suspect descriptions or details regarding a possible motive.

The Toronto Police Service said the investigation is ongoing and urged anyone with information to contact the Homicide Unit or provide tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers.