Hundreds in Canada pay last respects to Indian student killed by gunmen

More than 250 people gathered at a funeral home in Alberta to pay their last respects to a 20-year-old Indian student who was working as a security guard and was shot dead on his third day on the job. Harshandeep Singh, a business student, who had moved to Canada from India about one and half years ago, was found in a stairwell after police responded to a gunshot report in an apartment building earlier this month.

He was pronounced brought dead at a hospital.

Two individuals, Evan Rain and Judith Saulteaux, both 30 years old, have been charged with first-degree murder in connection with Singh’s death.

The president of the Alberta First Responders Association, Jerry Galliford, has organised an honour guard for Singh, with about two dozen members participating.

“He’s a civilian member, but he’s also a first responder. He’s on the front lines. He’s putting his life at risk. So we wanted to make sure that we honoured him,” Galliford said on Sunday, reported CBC News.

Galliford mentioned that the response was overwhelming, with many wanting to participate in the honour guard.

“This one was very emotional. I can’t pinpoint why, probably because of his age and the severity of the murder. But we’re a band, we stick together and we have each other’s backs,” he added.

Family spokesperson Gagandeep Ghuman described Singh as “generous and selfless”, always willing to help friends and family.

“He was deeply rooted in the values of hard work, humility, and perseverance,” Ghuman said, noting Singh’s farming background.

Singh’s family supported Harshandeep’s journey to Canada despite financial challenges.

His body is set to be brought back to India.

SINGH’S MURDER RAISED SAFETY CONCERNS

Barry Sharkey, a security firm owner, told CBC that the building owner, where Singh was killed, had reached out to his firm to hire private security.

After conducting two assessments, the company recommended that the building be patrolled by two men and a dog 10 times a day. The firm provided a quote to the building owner, but he refused to pay.

Instead, the owner hired a security guard at a cheaper rate.

“A brand new guard with three days on the job shouldn’t have been in there by himself. He shouldn’t have been there. And most people with my experience will tell you that flat out,” Sharkey said.

Sharkey is calling on the Alberta government to address companies that accept low-cost security jobs, potentially putting guards in danger.