A 25-year-old international student from India has been identified as the victim of a homicide following a late-night altercation near a lakeside boat ramp in northern Canada.
Police say Gurkirat Manocha died after suffering serious injuries during an incident near the Charlie Lake boat ramp outside Fort St. John late on Friday night.
Officers from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police were called to the area shortly after 11pm following reports that several people had been involved in an altercation.
According to police, Gurkirat was found with severe injuries after the confrontation.
AS per reports, friends reportedly transported Gurkirat to hospital, but he later died from his injuries.
The investigation has been taken over by the RCMP North District Major Crimes Unit, which confirmed on Sunday that Gurkirat’s death is being treated as a homicide.
Sergeant Devin Huff said investigators were continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident and were appealing for anyone with information to come forward. He said police were working to advance the investigation into Manocha’s death and encouraged witnesses to speak with investigators.
Authorities have not released further details about what led to the confrontation or how many people were involved. No arrests have been announced.
It is reported that Gurkirat had moved to Canada from Ujjain about 15 months ago to pursue further education. He was studying a business management post-degree diploma at Northern Lights College.
According to reports from India, Gurkirat came from a family based in Parshwanath Colony on Dewas Road in Ujjain and had travelled overseas in hopes of building a better future through higher education.
News of the killing has prompted condolences from officials in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, including Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, who expressed sympathy to Gurkirat’s family as they await the return of his body to perform final rites.
Northern Lights College, where Gurkirat was enrolled, attracts both domestic and international students to programmes focused on business, trades and technical education.
Police have urged anyone who witnessed the incident or who may have information relevant to the investigation to contact the Fort St. John RCMP. Investigators say community cooperation will be critical as they work to determine what happened in the moments leading up to Gurkirat’s death.
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