A 22-year-old Indian man, Birinder Singh, who recenty got his work permit in Canada, was killed in a random firing on Highway 2 near Leduc on March 14. Police said a white or grey pickup truck approached a black Honda Civic and the man inside the truck started firing, which hit Singh, who was driving the Honda Civic. The truck then fled the scene at high speed. Two of Singh’s childhood friends were inside the car when he was hit.
They told Global News that a person in the truck made a hand gesture that resembled like a peace sign when the truck pulled up beside their car. Singh waved back. Someone in the truck opened fire. “We just heard a gunshot and within a minute, everything happened, everything has changed. Our whole world is really bad now.
We are feeling really traumatized,” the friend said.
The friends recalled the horrifying moment when Singh was shot. The bullet struck in the neck, and he couldn’t speak but gestured to them that he had been shot. They took control of the car, reaching across him, called 911 and first responders arrived quickly but Singh could not be saved as he already suffered significant blood loss. “He doesn’t deserve this, like he was a really nice guy,” the friend said.
The friends don’t know why Singh was attacked, whether it was a hate crime or whether the truck driver thought they were racing with him.
Singh came to Canada three years ago and studied business administration in Brampton. He relocated to Edmonton in October 2025 as he started working in construction. The friend said Singh wanted to start his own company.
A GoFundMe was launched in order to send Singh’s body back to India so his parents can see him for the one last time.
RCMP said investigators have not gathered enough information yet to determine whether the shooting was random or targeted.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic killing of Indian student Birinder Singh in Alberta on 14 March 2026. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time. The Consulate stands firmly with the bereaved family and is extending all possible assistance,” the Indian consulate in Vancouver said in a statement.
