It was meant to be a normal evening for Arvinder “Arvi” Singh Sagoo, a 55-year-old Indian-origin Canadian businessman and father of two. On October 19, 2025, Arvi went out for dinner with his girlfriend in downtown Edmonton.

The couple likely expected nothing more than a peaceful end to their evening. But what followed turned a routine night into an unimaginable tragedy.

When they returned to their parked car in the early hours of the morning, they were shocked to find a stranger urinating on it. Disturbed by the blatant disrespect, Arvi spoke up, asking the man, “Hey, what are you doing?” The stranger responded without any remorse or shame: “Whatever I want.” Then, in a sudden and unprovoked act of violence, he walked up to Arvi and punched him hard in the head.

The impact was brutal. Arvi collapsed immediately, losing consciousness on the spot. His girlfriend, shaken and terrified, wasted no time in calling 911. Emergency responders arrived quickly and found Arvi lying unresponsive. He was rushed to a nearby hospital and placed on life support. The hopes of his loved ones now rested on the hands of doctors fighting to save his life.

For five long days, Arvi remained in critical condition. Despite the best efforts of medical professionals, he never regained consciousness. On October 24, his family and community received the devastating news that Arvi Singh Sagoo had died from his injuries. What had started as an attempt to stop someone from committing a public nuisance ended in a heartbreaking loss of life. Police later confirmed that the attack was entirely random. Arvi and his attacker had never met before. There was no known motive — the violence was senseless and cruel.

Police Identify Attacker and Launch Homicide Investigation

The Edmonton Police Service moved swiftly in their investigation. Within days, they identified the suspect as 40-year-old Kyle Papin. He was arrested and charged with aggravated assault in connection with the attack on Arvi. However, after Arvi succumbed to his injuries, the case was transferred to the homicide unit. Police indicated that more serious charges were likely to follow.

Investigators confirmed that Papin had no previous relationship or contact with Arvi. The violence was not personal — it was random, shocking, and completely unprovoked. Papin is scheduled to appear in court on November 4, 2025, where he will face charges in what is now a homicide case.

The nature of the assault — sudden and brutal — stunned many across Edmonton, particularly within the city’s Indian community. People struggled to understand how a small confrontation over such an offensive act could lead to such a tragic end. It raised uncomfortable questions about whether this kind of violence was becoming more common — and if so, why.

Community Comes Together for Arvi’s Children

In the midst of this sorrow, Arvi’s friends and family turned their attention to the two people who meant the most to him — his children. One of his close friends, Vincent Ram, launched an online fundraiser to support them through this difficult time. The campaign stated: “This fundraiser aims to support a very kind and loving father who is facing death and ensure that his two children have the necessary resources and support during this challenging time.”

The fundraiser aimed to cover Arvi’s funeral costs and help support his children’s daily needs. But more than that, it sought to offer long-term security — a foundation for their education and future. It was also meant to send a message of solidarity, to show that even in tragedy, a community stands united. The post shared this sentiment clearly, saying the goal was to “create a sense of community and support around a family in need”, and to let Arvi’s children know they would not be left alone.

By October 30, the fundraiser had begun receiving contributions from people across the community — a testament to the deep respect and love many had for Arvi. Friends remembered him as a kind-hearted, hard-working entrepreneur, always willing to lend a hand and deeply devoted to his family.

“This isn’t just about financial help,” the post emphasized. “It’s about showing that the community stands with them as they face life without their father. Please keep Arvi and his family in your prayers.”

A Heartbroken Community Demands Change

The shocking circumstances of Arvi’s death have reignited conversations about the growing threats faced by people of Indian origin in Canada. His killing struck a nerve — not only because of how sudden and violent it was, but because many in the Indian diaspora have been seeing a disturbing pattern. Arvi’s case, tragic as it is, may not be isolated.

Across communities, people are voicing fears about rising racism and violence. Arvi’s death has become more than a personal loss. It has become a symbol — a wake-up call demanding attention, action, and justice. As his family mourns, his community rallies not only in grief but also in a shared demand for a safer and more respectful society.

Ongoing Wave of Violence Against Indians in Canada (2023–2025)

The tragic death of Arvi Singh Sagoo was not an isolated event. Sadly, it is part of a troubling pattern of violence targeting members of the Indian community across Canada. Between 2023 and 2025, several disturbing incidents — from hate crimes to fatal shootings — have unfolded, shaking Indian families and communities nationwide. The incidents span across provinces and victims of all ages, suggesting that what may have once been rare is quickly becoming far too common.

• March 2023, British Columbia: In a deeply unsettling incident, a 21-year-old Sikh student from India was physically attacked by unknown men. During the attack, they ripped off his turban and dragged him by his hair. This wasn’t just an assault on one individual — it was seen by many as an attack on the Sikh identity and culture itself. Just a few months later, in September, violence struck again in Kelowna, British Columbia. A 17-year-old Sikh high school student was kicked, punched, and pepper-sprayed by another teenager while waiting at a bus stop. Authorities believe this was a hate crime. Both events deeply disturbed the community and signaled the beginning of a rise in racially motivated attacks against South Asians in Canada.

• December 1, 2024, Ontario: A 22-year-old Indian international student, Gurasis Singh, was stabbed to death in his rented apartment in Sarnia. Gurasis was studying at Lambton College and living with roommates. The attack reportedly happened after a heated argument in the kitchen turned violent. His 36-year-old roommate, Crossley Hunter, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder. Although this tragedy stemmed from a personal dispute, it still left the Indian community mourning the loss of yet another young life cut short far from home.

• December 6, 2024, Alberta: Merely five days after Gurasis's death, another tragedy struck the Indian diaspora. Harshandeep Singh, a 20-year-old student working part-time as a security guard, was shot dead while on duty in Edmonton. Around 12:30 a.m., officers responding to a gunshot call found him unresponsive in a stairwell. CCTV footage later revealed a chilling scene — a group of three attackers confronted Harshandeep. One of them pushed him down the stairs, and another shot him from behind. In a matter of seconds, a young man trying to make ends meet lost his life. Edmonton police later arrested two suspects, both aged 30 — Evan Rain and Judith Saulteaux — and charged them with first-degree murder. Harshandeep had only been on the job for three days. The back-to-back killings within the same week shook the community to its core.

• April 4, 2025, Ontario: Another horrific attack occurred in Rockland, a small township near Ottawa. Dharmesh Kathireeya, a 27-year-old man from Gujarat who had been in Canada since 2019, was stabbed to death in the hallway of his apartment building. The attacker was an older white male neighbor who had allegedly been harassing Dharmesh and his wife with racist, anti-Indian slurs. On that afternoon, a brief altercation escalated quickly when the man pulled out a knife and fatally wounded Dharmesh. Friends and family called it an “unprovoked hate crime and senseless attack.” Dharmesh’s wife, who had joined him in Canada just a year earlier, was left devastated. Police arrested the suspect, though his name was not released at the time. India’s High Commission in Ottawa expressed sorrow over the loss and coordinated with local groups to support Dharmesh’s family.

• April 25, 2025, Ontario: Just weeks after Dharmesh’s death, tragedy hit again — this time in Hamilton. A 21-year-old student named Harsimrat Randhawa was killed by a stray bullet while waiting at a bus stop on her way to work. Caught in the crossfire of a shootout between two vehicles, she had no connection to the shooters. One moment she was standing there thinking about her day ahead; the next, she was gone. Hamilton Police later confirmed that “Ms. Randhawa was an innocent bystander,” caught in the chaos of someone else's violence. Her sudden death added to growing fears among students and newcomers that simply being present in public spaces can be dangerous.

• Early October 2025, Alberta: The violence wasn't limited to students or workers. Even celebrities from the Indian community were being drawn into danger. Popular Punjabi singer Teji Kahlon was shot and wounded in a suspected gang-related attack. A few days before this, three men — claiming to be connected to the gangster Rohit Godara — released a video online admitting they shot Kahlon in the stomach. In the video, they accused him of helping a rival gang and warned, “If he understands, fine; if not, next time we will finish him.” Though Kahlon survived, the message was loud and clear: the reach of Indian-origin gang violence had now crossed borders and settled dangerously into Canadian streets. Authorities in both Canada and India began to take these growing gang tensions more seriously.

• October 27, 2025, British Columbia: Just days after Arvi Sagoo’s death, another Indian-origin businessman was targeted. Darshan Singh Sahsi, a 68-year-old entrepreneur in Abbotsford, was gunned down outside his home while sitting in his pickup truck. CCTV footage captured a masked shooter waiting in a parked car nearby. As Sahsi got into his vehicle, the gunman walked up and fired through the driver’s window before fleeing. Emergency responders tried to save him, but it was too late. Soon after the killing, a gang affiliated with Lawrence Bishnoi claimed responsibility. A man named Goldy Dhillon posted online that they had “killed Sahsi” because he refused to pay extortion and was supposedly involved in the drug trade. However, Sahsi’s son refuted these claims, saying there were “no threats, no blackmail, no extortion” before his father’s murder. The family described him as a hardworking immigrant who had built his textile business from the ground up. Police are continuing to investigate the case, but the event has sparked fear that law-abiding Indian professionals are now being pulled into gang-related violence beyond their control.

These stories — seven major attacks in less than three years — represent a larger crisis affecting Indians in Canada. Each one leaves behind grieving families, unanswered questions, and an ever-growing sense of fear among those who once believed Canada was a safe place to build their future.

Growing Hate and Worry Across Communities

These heartbreaking events are not happening in isolation. Studies and reports now confirm what many in the Indian diaspora have felt for some time — hate crimes are increasing. A recent study by a research group in the UK found that hate crimes against South Asians in Canada rose by 227% between 2019 and 2023. That number includes incidents both online and in public spaces. And the internet hasn’t been spared either.

The report also revealed a shocking surge in anti-Indian language and racism online. On social media platforms, especially on X (previously known as Twitter), the use of anti-Indian slurs jumped by over 1,350% during the same period. The study tracked more than 26,600 hateful posts between May 2023 and April 2025, most of them attacking Indian people in Canada. These numbers were far higher than hate speech targeting any other ethnic group.

Many of the posts used harmful stereotypes, labeling Indians as “dirty,” “dangerous,” or “unskilled”. Experts say that extremist groups and far-right networks are fueling these messages, spreading conspiracy theories and blaming immigrants — especially South Asians — for economic or cultural problems. This online hatred is no longer just virtual. Indian diaspora leaders say it is translating into real-world harm.

From students to entrepreneurs, ordinary people of Indian origin are being assaulted, murdered, and harassed. Many attacks appear to be driven by racism or xenophobia. Others are sparked by gang violence or street-level crime. But the growing trend is clear — fear is rising, and trust is eroding.

While Canadian police forces have taken some steps to reach out to South Asian communities, and some political leaders have condemned these crimes, families and advocacy groups are calling for much more. They want stronger protection for international students, faster action against gang-related threats, and better security for all immigrant communities.

Each case mentioned above has its own complex story. Some stem from personal conflict, others from organized crime. Yet together, they show a deeper problem — a worsening climate for Indian-origin people trying to live peacefully in Canada. A country once known for its multicultural embrace is now, for some, becoming a place of tension and fear.

The tragic death of Arvi Singh Sagoo is not just one man’s story — it is part of a larger warning. A warning that unless this pattern is addressed through policy, awareness, and action, more families may suffer the same unbearable grief. And until that change happens, many in Canada’s Indian community will continue to wonder — will I be next?