Karnataka Techie Shot Dead in Canada: Police Suspect Targeted Killing
A 37-year-old software engineer from Karnataka, Chandan Kumar Raja Nandakumar, was fatally shot in Toronto, Canada, on February 7, 2026. The incident occurred around 3:31 pm in the parking lot of the Woodbine Shopping Centre, located near Rexdale Boulevard and Highway 27 in Toronto. Chandan, a resident of Brampton and native of Nelamangala near Bengaluru, was targeted in what police describe as a suspected "targeted killing."
Police Investigation Points to Targeted Attack
According to a friend of Chandan, who spoke anonymously to The Indian Express, Toronto Police officials have indicated that preliminary investigations strongly suggest this was a targeted attack. The friend stated, "The investigation so far has indicated that it was a targeted attack, and the killers only fired at him before fleeing. This is what the police officials told me." Multiple rounds were fired, all directed at Chandan, with the assailants escaping the scene immediately after the shooting.
Community Response and Repatriation Efforts
The killing has deeply impacted the Kannadiga community and the broader Indian diaspora in Canada. Chandan was known for his active involvement in pro-Kannada events and community activities. His friend, who has lived in Canada for several years and is active in the Kannadiga community, expressed shock, saying, "The killing has left not only the Kannada community but the wider Indian diaspora shaken." The community is struggling to come to terms with the incident, as the motive behind the attack remains unknown.
On Wednesday, Chandan's body was kept for public viewing in Toronto, with friends coordinating efforts to repatriate it to India. The friend added, "I think the formalities are almost complete, and Chandan's body would reach India by Saturday. The Kannadiga community here is coordinating with the police." In Karnataka, Home Minister G Parameshwara visited Chandan's bereaved parents in Thayalgoundanahalli, Nelamangala taluk, on Tuesday. He assured that official channels have been initiated to facilitate the return of the body to the village by Saturday.
Background and Professional Life
Chandan worked as a software engineer at LTI Mindtree and was described by his friend as being good at his work. While he was active in the Kannada community, details about his other associations outside this circle are unclear. The friend noted, "He was very active in pro-Kannada events and with the Kannada community. We do not know what other associations he had outside of it." The incident highlights concerns over safety and targeted violence affecting Indian expatriates in Canada.
