A 28-year-old Nigerian man has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the killing of a University of Toronto student near the school’s Scarborough campus.

Toronto police confirmed on January 7 that Babatunde Afuwape was arrested and charged over the fatal shooting of 20-year-old Shivank Avasthi, a third-year University of Toronto student from India.

Avasthi was found with life-threatening gunshot injuries on the Highland Creek Trail on December 23. Emergency responders arrived at the scene following distress calls, but the student was pronounced dead shortly after.

Speaking at a news conference, Detective Sergeant Stacey McCabe described the case as “deeply tragic,” noting that the victim was a young and promising student with his future ahead of him.

Investigators said there is no evidence to suggest that the suspect and the victim knew each other. Police believe the killing was planned and deliberate, although the motive has not yet been determined.

The investigation remains ongoing.