10-Feb-2026, 02:00: A 37-year-old Indian-origin technology professional from Karnataka, Chandan Kumar Raja Nandakumar, was shot and killed at the Woodbine Shopping Centre in Toronto on February 7, 2026.
Toronto Police said officers were called to the shopping centre in the Rexdale area shortly after 3:30 p.m. following reports of a shooting. Nandakumar was found suffering from gunshot wounds and was taken to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Police initially described the incident as a targeted shooting.
Nandakumar was a resident of Brampton, Ontario, and originally came from Karnataka. His death was reported in Indian media after Toronto Police identified him as the victim.
Shooting Reported at Woodbine Shopping Centre
The shooting took place in the parking lot of Woodbine Shopping Centre near Rexdale Boulevard and Highway 27.
Toronto Police said officers responded at about 3:30 p.m. on February 7. When they arrived, they found Nandakumar with life-threatening gunshot injuries.
Emergency responders transported him to a nearby hospital, but he later died.
Police said the person or people responsible for the shooting fled the area in a vehicle. At the time of the initial investigation, authorities had not publicly established the motive behind the killing.
The case became Toronto’s third homicide of 2026.
Who Was Chandan Kumar Raja Nandakumar?
Nandakumar, 37, lived in Brampton in the Greater Toronto Area and had worked in the technology sector.
Indian media reports identified him as being from the Bengaluru rural region of Karnataka. Reports said he had been working as a software professional in Canada and had maintained connections with the Kannada-speaking community there.
His death came as a shock to his family in Karnataka. Reports from the state said his family received news of the shooting after trying to contact him and later learned that he had died in Toronto.
Police Said the Shooting Appeared to Be Targeted
Toronto Police initially said the circumstances suggested that the shooting was targeted rather than random.
However, police did not immediately announce a motive.
That distinction is important because the reason Nandakumar was targeted had not been established publicly at the time of the initial reports.
Reports from Karnataka quoted members of Nandakumar’s family discussing possible reasons for the attack, including his professional progress and involvement with the Kannada community. Those comments were family speculation and were not presented by police as a confirmed motive.
Connection With the Kannada Community
Nandakumar was described as having strong connections with people from Karnataka living in the Greater Toronto Area.
Toronto Police later said people who knew him described him as kind, generous, and willing to help others. Police also said he maintained strong connections with members of the community, particularly people from the same region of India.
His connection with the Kannada community also became part of the discussion surrounding his death in Karnataka.
However, there is no basis to state that his community activities were the reason for the shooting unless investigators establish that connection.
Family Seeks Answers
Nandakumar’s death left his family in Karnataka grieving and seeking answers about what happened.
Indian media reports said his family had been expecting him to return to India and was shocked after learning that he had been killed in Toronto. His parents were also concerned about bringing his body back to Karnataka.
The family has sought clarity about the circumstances surrounding his death as investigators continued their work in Canada.
Police Investigation
Toronto Police opened a homicide investigation after Nandakumar’s death.
Investigators appealed to members of the public who may have witnessed the shooting or who may have video footage or other information that could help identify those responsible.
The investigation later produced a significant development.
Authorities identified the incident as Toronto’s third homicide case recorded in 2026. Investigators appealed to anyone who had contact with Nandakumar in the days leading up to February 7 or knew about his plans that afternoon to come forward. Police also asked anyone with relevant video, dashcam footage, or other information to contact investigators. Authorities said even a small piece of information could assist investigators in establishing what happened and identifying everyone involved in the shooting.
Investigation Update
On March 3, Toronto Police announced that a Canada-wide warrant had been issued for 19-year-old Isaiah Thomas Badger of Edmonton for first-degree murder in connection with Nandakumar’s death.
Police said investigators believed Badger was responsible for the homicide and also connected him to another killing in the Greater Toronto Area.
At that stage, police were seeking the public’s assistance in locating Badger and warned members of the public not to approach him.
Update: Badger was later arrested in Calgary on March 19 and faced first-degree murder charges in connection with the Toronto and Vaughan killings.
Toronto Police subsequently announced additional arrests in the Woodbine Mall homicide investigation, showing that the case continued to develop after the original February shooting.
What Police Have Established
Based on police information and subsequent investigation updates, the following details have been established:
- Chandan Kumar Raja Nandakumar was 37 years old.
- He was a Brampton resident.
- He was shot at Woodbine Shopping Centre in Toronto on February 7, 2026.
- Police initially described the shooting as targeted.
- Nandakumar died after being taken to hospital.
- Toronto Police opened a homicide investigation.
- Isaiah Thomas Badger was later identified as a suspect, and a Canada-wide first-degree murder warrant was issued.
- Badger was subsequently arrested in Calgary.
- The investigation continued with additional suspects later arrested in connection with the case.
The Case Continues
The killing of Chandan Kumar Raja Nandakumar has drawn attention in both Canada and Karnataka because of his background and his connections with the Kannada community.
While police have made significant progress in the investigation, claims about the motive should be treated carefully unless confirmed by investigators or established through court proceedings.
The case remains a criminal investigation, and allegations against suspects should not be treated as proof of guilt unless established in court.
Sources: Toronto Police Service, CityNews Toronto, New Indian Express, and India Today.
