Harshandeep Singh Anttal (2004—6 December 2024) was an Indian Sikh student at NorQuest College, who was shot and killed at an apartment complex he was working at in December 2024.[1]
| Murder of Harshandeep Singh | |
|---|---|
 Singh shortly before his murder | |
| Location | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada |
| Date | 6 December 2024 1:28 a.m. |
Attack type | Shooting |
| Weapon | Sawed-off shotgun |
| Deaths | Harshandeep Singh |
| Perpetrators | Evan Rain and Judith Saulteaux |
| Motive | Unknown |
| Charges | |
Background
Harshandeep Singh Anttal was born in 2004 to a Punjabi Sikh family of farmers in the village of Matehri Jattan, Haryana State, India.[1][2][3] Singh was also reportedly an avid fan of video games.[4]
In mid-2023 Singh began to attend NorQuest College studying business, using a student visa. On 3 December 2024, he began working as a security guard at an apartment complex at 10603, 107 Avenue and 106 Street, in the Central McDougall neighborhood.[2][4][5][6]
Singh wanted to become a police officer for the Edmonton Police Service, and was in the process of attempting to join.[7]
Perpetrators
Lazarus Evan Chase Francis Rain (born: January 1994) who is of Indigenous Canadian descent, being apart of the Paul Band, he has an extensive criminal record dating back to 2012, having been charged with at least 80 crimes and has been convicted at least 17 times. He’s been convicted for assault, unlawful possession of a firearm, drug possession, kidnapping, theft and reckless endangerment. In one incident in 2019, Rain engaged in a high speed chase with police while in the possession of a sawed-off shotgun and methamphetamine, while in prison he attacked several other prisoners, he also was once charged with kidnapping and car theft as well, he was sentenced to just under 3 years in prison.[5][8][9][10][11]
Judith May Saulteaux (born: 1994) who is also of Indigenous descent, has an extensive criminal record as well dating back to 2013. Saulteaux has been convicted at least eight times, having been charged with aggravated assault, possession of a firearm and shoplifting. In 2015 Saulteaux was sentenced to 5 years in prison for aggravated assault.[8]
Previous events
In April 2023 the Alberta Health Services listed several problems in 32 of the units.[11][12]
On 21 November 2024 at 5:54 a.m. a man was shot and wounded at the same apartment complex that Singh worked at.[13]
Due to the frequent crime in and around the apartment complex the building's owner Van Vuong put it up for sale.[13]
Murder
On 6 December 2024, Singh who was patrolling the complex by himself, was approached and by Evan Rain and Judith Saulteaux who began to harass him, Rain at some point got enraged and grabbed a sawed-off shotgun.[5] At 1:28 a.m. he approached Singh again and hit him several times in the head with the barrel of the shotgun, they then forced him into the stairwell where Saulteaux threw him down the stairs, and Rain then shot him in the back. First responders discovered Singh unconscious but alive they attempted to resuscitate him in the lobby but when they were unable to they took him to the hospital, however ended up dying around 10 minutes later.[1][14][15][16]
Aftermath
Rain and Saulteaux were arrested the same day and were both charged with first degree murder on December 11, their next court appearance is scheduled for 8 January 2025.[8]
Singh’s killing also highlighted problems with the safety of security guards as they are often patrolling by themselves and unarmed.[13]
On 8 December a cousin of Singh, Gulzar Singh Nirman started a GoFundMe with its goal at $50,000 CAD, in less than 24 hours the fundraiser raised $122,720 CAD. The fundraiser was started so Singh’s family could bring his body back to India for burial.[17]
On 12 December hundreds of people attended a vigil at NorQuest college to mourn and pay respect to Singh, the Alberta First Responders Association (AFRA) recognized Singh as an officer fallen in the line of duty.[7][15] Three days later on 15 December the AFRA held a memorial service which had over 250 in attendance at the Edmonton Crematorium and Funeral Home.[4][6][18][19]
On 23 December two and half weeks after Singh's murder the city of Edmonton shut down the apartment complex citing 'serious health concerns' as their reason. Around 60 people including 25 children were evicted.[20]
References
- ^ a b c "Indian student, 20, shot dead in Canada; CCTV footage of attack surfaces". Hindustan Times. 2024-12-06. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
- ^ a b Drinkwater, Rob (2024-12-09). "Slain Edmonton security guard had only been working 3 days, family spokesman says". National Post. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
- ^ Pasiuk, Emily Rae (2024-12-15). "Slain Edmonton security guard remembered as generous, selfless". CBC. Retrieved 2024-12-16.
- ^ a b c Ellingson, Craig (2024-12-15). "Slain security guard remembered in peace officer-style funeral service". CTV News Edmonton. Retrieved 2024-12-18.
- ^ a b c Snowdon, Wallis (2024-12-12). "Man accused of killing Edmonton security guard has violent criminal past, parole documents show". CBC. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
- ^ a b Wakefield, Johnny (2024-12-15). "Harshandeep Singh was killed while working as a security guard. At a memorial, Alberta first responders claimed him as one of their own". Edmonton Journal. Retrieved 2024-12-16.
- ^ a b Carmichael, Jackie (2024-12-12). "Hundreds attend NorQuest College vigil for international student slain on night security job". Edmonton Journal. Retrieved 2024-12-16.
- ^ a b c "Accused in killing of apartment security guard have extensive criminal histories". Edmonton. 2024-12-11. Retrieved 2024-12-16.
- ^ "La Ronge RCMP charge four after attempted robbery, eight firearms found hidden in the snow | Royal Canadian Mounted Police". Royal Canadian Mounted Police. 2022-12-22. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
- ^ Salkeld, Stu (2018-07-26). "UPDATED Woman escapes from car trunk in Wetaskiwin, four arrested". Lacombe Express. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
- ^ a b Bartko, Karen; Moulitharan, Kabi (2024-12-13). "Crime, disrepair documented at central Edmonton apartment where security guard killed". Global News. Retrieved 2024-12-18.
- ^ "Environmental Public Health" (PDF). Alberta Health Services. 2023. Retrieved 2024-12-18.
- ^ a b c Hunter, Andrea (2024-12-13). "Man shot 2 weeks earlier in same Edmonton building where security guard slain". CBC. Retrieved 2024-12-16.
- ^ "Building where security guard died saw shooting 2 weeks earlier". Edmonton. 2024-12-13. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
- ^ a b "Vigil held for slain Edmonton security guard as suspect criminal histories come to light - Edmonton | Globalnews.ca". globalnews.ca. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
- ^ Chowdhury, Megha (2024-12-08). "Shocking CCTV Footage Captures Murder Of 20-Year-Old Punjabi International Student In Canada; 2 Suspects Arrested". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
- ^ "Indian Student Shot Dead in Canada, Two Arrested for Murder". Deccan Chronicle. 2024-12-09. Retrieved 2024-12-16.
- ^ "Hundreds in Canada pay last respects to Indian student killed by gunmen". India Today. 2024-12-16. Retrieved 2024-12-16.
- ^ G, Jerry (2024-12-10). "Harshandeep Singh Memorial Service – Alberta First Responders Association". Retrieved 2024-12-16.
- ^ Smith, Madeline (2024-12-23). "Edmonton shuts down building where security guard was shot, citing 'serious safety concerns'". CBC. Retrieved 2024-12-25.