Punjabi Student stabbed in Canada by Flatmate during Fight

An Indian student originally from Punjab’s Ludhiana was stabbed to death at his accommodation by his flatmate.

The incident happened at a shared residence on Queen Street in Sarnia, Canada, in the early hours of December 1, 2024.

Gurasis Singh moved to Canada in September 2024 for a postgraduate degree in business at Lambton College.

In a statement, police said the accused has been identified as 36-year-old Crossley Hunter.

They shared kitchen space in the same property and according to police, the pair got into a fight in the kitchen, where Hunter allegedly used a knife to stab Gurasis multiple times.

Police responded to a 911 call and found the 22-year-old critically injured.

Gurasis died at the scene while Hunter was arrested and charged with second-degree murder.

Sarnia Police Chief Derek Davis said currently, the fatal stabbing does not appear to be “racially motivated”.

Meanwhile, the victim’s father Charanjeet Singh claimed his son was “killed in his sleep” and the suspect was under the influence of drugs.

He said: “Hours before our son was brutally murdered, he had spoken to us and was very happy.

“He was hoping to call us also to Canada soon and said that we would live together again as a family.

“He used to prepare for college in the night itself and prepare his meals. He had a long conversation with his mother also hours before being killed in his sleep.”

Accusing the suspect of being under the influence of drugs, Charanjeet continued:

“In his initial statement to the police, the accused said that he stabbed my son in self-defence but later police found that he was killed in sleep.

“We suspect that the accused was under the influence of some drugs but only the police can clarify.”

It was reported that the shock of Gurasis’ death caused his mother to be hospitalised.

Charanjeet added: “She still hasn’t been talking.”

The family has appealed to the Indian government to help bring Gurasis’ body to Punjab and requested financial help as they had spent their savings on sending their son to Canada.

In a statement, Lambton College said: “Lambton College is profoundly saddened by the loss of Gurasis Singh, a first-year Business Management – International Business student.

“We extend our deepest condolences to Gurasis’s family, loved ones, and friends.

“Many of our employees knew Gurasis from teaching him or providing student services.

“Even more have stepped in to provide support for his grieving friends and classmates.”

“Lambton College has been in touch with Gurasis’ family, and are working with them on funeral arrangements and repatriation.”

Referring to the recent tensions between India and Canada, Charanjeet said:

“I cannot say if my son was targeted due to his nationality as the police probe is ongoing.

“We have full faith in the Canadian police and judicial system. I am sure my son will get justice.”

In a statement, the Criminal Investigations Division of the Canadian Police is gathering evidence to “determine the circumstances surrounding this criminal act”.