Friends and family of fatally shot Mohawk student grieve tragic loss

Family and friends of a 21-year-old Mohawk College student are trying to make sense of her tragic death last Thursday during a deadly shooting.

The killing of Harsimrat Randhawa is still being felt days after the young woman was hit with a stray bullet, while waiting for a bus.

A vigil was held Sunday by friends and family, in the area of Upper James Street and South Bend Road East where Randhawa was shot.

Randhawa’s family says they are still working on getting her body back to India to her parents.

With sorrow also came anger regarding the violence and guns out on the streets.

“Harsimrat was not just at the wrong place at the wrong time, she should’ve been in a place that was safe,” said one person who attended the vigil. “A place where no one should have to fear for their life.”

Tears and prayers were front-and-center during the vigil, to remember the student from India.

“I was going to pick her up on Saturday to take her back with us on the long weekend,” said Manbir Sandhu, Randhawa’s uncle.

Sandhu said it was common for his niece to be with his family over long weekends.

“Now I’m just coming back with her luggage, and now we have to prepare to send her back as luggage,” said Sandhu. “Back home to India, this is not the things you think about.”

WATCH MORE: Mohawk College student fatally shot while waiting for bus remembered as ‘so innocent’

It was Thursday night when Harsimrat was at a bus stop on Upper James Street near South Bend Road when police say passengers of two vehicles got into an altercation and shots were fired.

Investigators say the innocent bystander was struck in the chest.

“We notice that numerous members of the federal parties are here and with the upcoming federal election,” said another person who attended the vigil, “your presence matters, but more importantly, your actions matter more.”

As many laid flowers in mourning, others spoke about public safety and policy on crime and guns.

Hamilton police told CHCH News they have no updates regarding the investigation.

“As we’ve seen more and more gun crimes, we’ve seen the police put in place a unit dedicated to deal with guns and gun crime,” said Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath. “That’s a sign of the times – we have to stop this, we have to get the guns off the streets.”

What the police have released so far, is that the gunfire came from a black Mercedes SUV, aimed at the other vehicle in question, a white sedan.

Investigators last said the Black Mercedes escaped west on South Bend Road East while the white sedan fled north on Upper James Street.

Randhawa’s adult life was just getting started.

She was studying physiotherapy at Mohawk College and also worked at a McDonalds, trying to make ends meet.

“The students, the faculty, everyone at Mohawk is still reeling from this as well,” said Mohawk College President Paul Armstrong. “The fact that this was absolutely unnecessary and it happening to someone who no way could’ve avoided it or done anything different…it’s just tragic.”

Armstrong mentioned that support services are available for everyone impacted by the loss.

The college’s Student’s Association is expected to hold a vigil of their own during Common Hour this week, likely on Wednesday.

Hamilton police is expected to say more on the investigation Tuesday.

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