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Hamilton, Ontario – Jerdaine Foster, 32, has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the April 17th shooting death of 21-year-old Harsimrat Randhawa, Hamilton Police announced Thursday. The arrest, made in Niagara Falls, also includes three counts of attempted murder.
Randhawa, a second-year physiotherapy student at mohawk College, was fatally struck by a stray bullet while waiting at a bus stop at the intersection of Upper James street and south Bend Road. She was pronounced dead at Hamilton general Hospital.
According to Acting Det-Sgt Daryl Reid,the shooting stemmed from a dispute involving at least seven individuals across four vehicles. Multiple shots were exchanged between the cars, with police confirming the use of at least two firearms.Randhawa was an unintended victim, simply waiting to cross the street after disembarking from a bus.
“Harsimrat was an innocent bystander,” Reid stated during a press conference. “She was simply trying to make her way home from a local gym when she was struck and killed.”
Foster, who has known connections to Hamilton, Halton, and Niagara regions, frequently resided in short-term rental accommodations. he was previously known to law enforcement. Police have not yet made additional arrests, but the investigation remains active.
“The investigation is still ongoing, and we will do everything in our power to identify, locate and arrest all these people that are involved in this death,” Reid added.
Context: Rising Concerns Over Gun Violence in Canadian Cities
This incident underscores a growing trend of gun violence in major Canadian cities.While canada has stricter gun control laws than the United states, incidents involving illegal firearms and gang-related activity are on the rise.In 2023, Hamilton saw a 32% increase in reported firearm offenses compared to the previous year, according to Hamilton Police Service data. Mohawk College has approximately 13,000 students enrolled across its three campuses. The intersection of Upper James Street and South Bend Road is a high-traffic area, serving several residential neighborhoods and commercial businesses.
The case has prompted renewed calls for increased community safety initiatives and stricter enforcement of existing gun laws. The Indian Consulate in Toronto is providing support to Randhawa’s family, who reside in India.