A 24-year-old Indian student, Chirag Antil, who had travelled to Canada in 2022 for higher education, was found shot dead in his car. The Vancouver Police Department revealed that officers responded to reports of gunshots around 11 pm on April 12. Upon arrival at the scene, they discovered Antil's lifeless body inside a vehicle.
The Vancouver Police Department, in a press release, stated, "No arrests have been made, and the investigation remains ongoing." The circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear, with police refraining from confirming any connections to gang activity. Notably, the unfortunate event occurred in close proximity to the route designated for Saturday's Vaisakhi parade and festival, news agency PTI reported.
Const. Tania Visintin, a spokesperson for the Vancouver Police, informed CBC News that the body was discovered in a vehicle in the area at approximately 11 pm on Friday. However, no further details were disclosed regarding the possible motives or suspects involved.
Expressing condolences, the Consulate General of India in Vancouver issued a statement on X, stating, "We have learnt with great sorrow about the shooting and killing of an Indian national, Chirag Antil, living in Vancouver. We have approached the concerned Canadian authorities for more information in this regard."
Chirag Antil's Family's Fundraising Campaign For Repatriation Of His Body
In response to the tragic news, Chirag Antil's family has initiated a fundraising campaign on GoFundMe with the objective of raising Canadian dollars 40,000 to facilitate the repatriation of his body to India. An emotional appeal on the fundraiser reads, "Hi, my name is Anurag Dahiya, and I’m seeking help or donations for my younger brother. Chirag Antil, an international student from Haryana, India, who arrived in Vancouver in 2022 for his studies, tragically lost his life due to a recent murder in the city."
"We urgently need assistance to raise funds for sending his body back to India. If you are in Vancouver and able to offer any support or help, please reach out to us. Your help in this matter would be deeply appreciated by Chirag's family and friends, as we work towards bringing closure and peace during this heartbreaking time," the post adds.