Despite immediate efforts by paramedics to save her, she was declared dead at the scene.
Toronto: Canadian police have charged a 37-year-old man with first-degree murder following the fatal shooting of a 26-year-old woman of Punjabi origin in Toronto, describing the incident as a targeted act of violence.
The victim, identified as Navneet Kaur, was killed in the Etobicoke area during the early hours of Friday. According to the Toronto Police Service, officers responded to reports of gunfire and found the woman critically injured. Despite immediate efforts by paramedics to save her, she was declared dead at the scene.
Investigators allege that the accused, Sharnjeet Singh, briefly interacted with Kaur moments before the shooting. Authorities believe the encounter lasted only a short time before multiple shots were fired.
Police said the suspect fled immediately after the incident but was later tracked down and arrested with assistance from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). Along with a charge of first-degree murder, Singh has also been charged with failing to comply with the conditions of a previous legal undertaking.
Officials have not confirmed whether the accused and the victim shared a personal relationship, saying investigators are still examining the circumstances surrounding the case and the motive behind the attack.
A witness who was nearby at the time of the shooting told local media that the man appeared to approach the woman calmly and exchange a few words before suddenly pulling out a firearm. The witness described the attack as swift and unexpected, leaving bystanders in shock.
The killing has raised fresh concerns about public safety among residents of the neighbourhood, with many expressing anxiety over the incident and calling for stronger preventive measures against violent crime.
Toronto Police have stated that the investigation remains active and have urged anyone with information, surveillance footage or dashcam recordings from the area to come forward.
The accused was scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Toronto following his arrest, while detectives continue gathering evidence to determine the events leading up to the fatal shooting.
