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{{Short description|Indian college student murdered in Edmonton, Canada}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox civilian attack
| location = [[Edmonton]], Alberta, Canada
| date = 6 December 2024
| image = Harshandeep_Singh_shortly_before_he_was_killed.jpg
| caption = Singh shortly before his murder
| map =
| coordinates =
| time = 1:28 a.m.
| type = [[Shooting]]
| weapon = [[Sawed-off shotgun]]
| fatalities = Harshandeep Singh
| injuries =
| perpetrators = Evan Rain and Judith Saulteaux
| motive = Unknown
| charges = *[[First-degree murder]]
}}

'''Harshandeep Singh Anttal''' (2004 — 6 December 2024) was an Indian [[Sikhs|Sikh]] student at [[NorQuest College]], who was shot and killed at an apartment complex he was working at in December 2024.<ref name=":0" />

== Background ==
Harshandeep Singh Anttal was born in 2004 to a [[Punjabis|Punjabi]] [[Punjabi Sikhs|Sikh]] family of farmers in the village of Matehri Jattan, [[Haryana|Haryana State]], India.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Drinkwater |first=Rob |date=9 December 2024 |title=Slain Edmonton security guard had only been working 3 days, family spokesman says |url=https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/edmonton-security-guard-shot-to-death |access-date=13 December 2024 |website=National Post}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Pasiuk |first=Emily Rae |date=15 December 2024 |title=Slain Edmonton security guard remembered as generous, selfless |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/slain-edmonton-security-guard-remembered-as-generous-selfless-1.7411198 |access-date=16 December 2024 |work=CBC}}</ref> Singh was also reportedly an avid fan of video games.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Ellingson |first=Craig |date=15 December 2024 |title=Slain security guard remembered in peace officer-style funeral service |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/edmonton/article/slain-security-guard-remembered-in-peace-officer-style-funeral-service/ |access-date=18 December 2024 |website=CTV News Edmonton |language=en}}</ref>

In mid-2023 Singh began to attend NorQuest College studying business administration, 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.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":8" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Snowdon |first=Wallis |date=12 December 2024 |title=Man accused of killing Edmonton security guard has violent criminal past, parole documents show |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/edmonton-security-guard-killed-1.7409062 |access-date=13 December 2024 |website=CBC}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Wakefield |first=Johnny |date=15 December 2024 |title=Harshandeep Singh was killed while working as a security guard. At a memorial, Alberta first responders claimed him as one of their own |url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/crime/harshandeep-singh-memorial-funeral-first-responder |access-date=16 December 2024 |work=Edmonton Journal}}</ref>

Singh wanted to become a police officer for the [[Edmonton Police Service]], and was in the process of attempting to join.<ref name=":6">{{Cite news |last=Carmichael |first=Jackie |date=12 December 2024 |title=Hundreds attend NorQuest College vigil for international student slain on night security job |url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/hundreds-attend-vigil-for-slain-security-guard |access-date=16 December 2024 |work=Edmonton Journal}}</ref>

=== Perpetrators ===
Lazarus Evan Chase Francis Rain (born January 1994) who is of [[Indigenous Canadian]] descent, being a part 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 has 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 three years in prison.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=11 December 2024 |title=Accused in killing of apartment security guard have extensive criminal histories |url=https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/pair-accused-in-killing-of-apartment-security-guard-to-spend-christmas-in-jail-1.7142114 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241213113612/https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/pair-accused-in-killing-of-apartment-security-guard-to-spend-christmas-in-jail-1.7142114 |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 December 2024 |access-date=16 December 2024 |website=Edmonton |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=22 December 2022 |title=La Ronge RCMP charge four after attempted robbery, eight firearms found hidden in the snow {{!}} Royal Canadian Mounted Police |url=https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/news/2022/ronge-rcmp-charge-four-attempted-robbery-eight-firearms-found-hidden-the-snow |access-date=17 December 2024 |website=Royal Canadian Mounted Police}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Salkeld |first=Stu |date=26 July 2018 |title=UPDATED Woman escapes from car trunk in Wetaskiwin, four arrested |url=https://www.lacombeexpress.com/home2/woman-escapes-from-car-trunk-in-wetaskiwin-police-investigating-6535172 |access-date=17 December 2024 |website=Lacombe Express |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":9">{{Cite web |last1=Bartko |first1=Karen |last2=Moulitharan |first2=Kabi |date=13 December 2024 |title=Crime, disrepair documented at central Edmonton apartment where security guard killed |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/10918206/edmonton-shooting-apartment-history/ |access-date=18 December 2024 |website=Global News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":10">{{Cite news |last=Hunter |first=Brad |date=13 December 2024 |title=HUNTER: Is accused Edmonton killer new poster boy for junk justice policies? |url=https://torontosun.com/news/national/hunter-is-accused-edmonton-killer-new-poster-boy-for-junk-justice-policies |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241213220546/https://torontosun.com/news/national/hunter-is-accused-edmonton-killer-new-poster-boy-for-junk-justice-policies |archive-date=13 December 2024 |access-date=6 January 2025 |work=torontosun |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref>

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 five years in prison for aggravated assault.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":10" />

=== Previous events ===
In April 2023 the Alberta Health Services listed several problems in 32 of the units.<ref name=":9" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023 |title=Environmental Public Health |url=https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/wf/eph/wf-eph-edm-10603-107-avenue-nw-edmonton-april-20-2023-a.pdf |access-date=18 December 2024 |website=Alberta Health Services}}</ref>

On 21 November 2024 at 5:54 a.m. a man was shot and wounded at the same apartment complex that Singh worked at.<ref name=":7">{{Cite news |last=Huncar |first=Andrea |date=13 December 2024 |title=Man shot 2 weeks earlier in same Edmonton building where security guard slain |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/security-guard-killed-edmonton-crimes-building-city-1.7409433 |access-date=16 December 2024 |work=CBC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=A security guard was gunned down in an Edmonton apartment building. His death is drawing attention to a risky, rapidly growing industry |url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/crime/edmonton-security-guard-killed-jobs-industry-murder-homicide |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241210003130/https://edmontonjournal.com/news/crime/edmonton-security-guard-killed-jobs-industry-murder-homicide |archive-date=10 December 2024 |access-date=10 January 2025 |work=edmontonjournal |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref>

Due to the frequent crime in and around the apartment complex the building's owner Van Vuong put it up for sale.<ref name=":7" />

== Murder ==
[[File:CCTV footage of the murder of Harshandeep Singh.webm|thumb|CCTV footage of Harshandeep Singh's murder|255x255px]]
On 6 December 2024, Singh who was patrolling the complex by himself, was approached by Evan Rain and Judith Saulteaux who began to harass him, Rain at some point got enraged and grabbed a sawed-off shotgun.<ref name=":1" /> 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 he ended up dying around 10 minutes later.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=6 December 2024 |title=Indian student, 20, shot dead in Canada; CCTV footage of attack surfaces |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/indian-student-20-shot-dead-in-canada-edmonton-cctv-footage-of-attack-surface-101733645864015-amp.html |access-date=13 December 2024 |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=13 December 2024 |title=Building where security guard died saw shooting 2 weeks earlier |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/edmonton/article/building-where-security-guard-died-saw-shooting-2-weeks-earlier/ |access-date=13 December 2024 |website=Edmonton |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Vigil held for slain Edmonton security guard as suspect criminal histories come to light - Edmonton {{!}} Globalnews.ca |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/10915686/edmonton-security-guard-harshandeep-singh-vigil/ |access-date=13 December 2024 |website=globalnews.ca |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Chowdhury |first=Megha |date=8 December 2024 |title=Shocking CCTV Footage Captures Murder Of 20-Year-Old Punjabi International Student In Canada; 2 Suspects Arrested |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/education/shocking-cctv-footage-captures-murder-of-20-year-old-punjabi-international-student-in-canada-2-suspects-arrested |access-date=17 December 2024 |website=Free Press Journal |language=en}}</ref>

== Aftermath ==
Rain and Saulteaux were arrested the same day and were both charged with first degree murder on 11 December, their next court appearance was scheduled for 8 January 2025.<ref name=":3" /> Rain was then scheduled to go to court for a plea on 22 January.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ropchan |first=Darcy |date=9 January 2025 |title=Accused in Edmonton security guard shooting has court proceedings put over |url=https://edmonton.citynews.ca/2025/01/08/accused-edmonton-guard-shooting-court-proceedings-put-over/ |access-date=10 January 2025 |website=CityNews Edmonton |language=en-US}}</ref>

Singh's killing also highlighted problems with the safety of security guards as they are often patrolling by themselves and unarmed.<ref name=":7" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Harshandeep Singh Death Archives |url=https://securityguardcourse.ca/tag/harshandeep-singh-death/ |access-date=10 January 2025 |website=Security Guard Course Inc. |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Wakefield |first=Jonny |date=9 December 2024 |title=A security guard was gunned down in an Edmonton apartment building. His death is drawing attention to a risky, rapidly growing industry |url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/crime/edmonton-security-guard-killed-jobs-industry-murder-homicide |access-date=10 January 2025 |work=Edmonton Journal}}</ref>

On 8 December a cousin of Singh, Gulzar Singh Nirman started a [[GoFundMe]] with its goal at $50,000 [[Canadian dollar|CAD]], and 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.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=9 December 2024 |title=Indian Student Shot Dead in Canada, Two Arrested for Murder |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/world/indian-student-shot-dead-in-canada-two-arrested-for-murder-1845367 |access-date=16 December 2024 |website=Deccan Chronicle |language=en}}</ref>

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.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":5" /> 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.<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=16 December 2024 |title=Hundreds in Canada pay last respects to Indian student killed by gunmen |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/world/canada-news/story/indian-origin-harshandeep-singh-security-guard-shot-dead-canada-over-250-people-attended-funeral-canada-first-degree-murder-2650438-2024-12-16 |access-date=16 December 2024 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=G |first=Jerry |date=10 December 2024 |title=Harshandeep Singh Memorial Service – Alberta First Responders Association |url=https://ourafra.ca/harshandeep-singh-memorial-service/ |access-date=16 December 2024 |language=en-US}}</ref>

On 20 December the apartment complex's owner Van Vuong was charged with breaking and entering after he entered a occupied suite. However the charges were later dropped on 26 December.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-03 |title=Break and enter charges withdrawn against owner of Edmonton apartment building where security guard was killed |url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/crime/edmonton-security-guard-murder-apartment-owner-charges-dropped |access-date=2025-04-04 |website=Edmonton Journal}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Madeline |date=23 December 2024 |title=Edmonton shuts down building where security guard was shot, citing 'serious safety concerns' |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/edmonton-apartment-building-shut-down-harshandeep-singh-shooting-1.7417926 |access-date=25 December 2024 |website=CBC}}</ref>

On 8 January 2025, Rain and Saulteaux were brought back into court, but Rain’s lawyer said he needed more time to review the case and they were scheduled to appear back in court on 22 January.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ropchan |first=Darcy |date=2025-01-09 |title=Accused in Edmonton security guard shooting has court proceedings put over |url=https://edmonton.citynews.ca/2025/01/08/accused-edmonton-guard-shooting-court-proceedings-put-over/ |access-date=2025-08-14 |website=CityNews Edmonton |language=en}}</ref>

Despite their next court date being scheduled for 22 January, they appeared back on 13 March, both Rain and Saulteaux pleaded not guilty. Their preliminary hearing is scheduled to start on 10 July.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sousa |first=Aaron |date=2025-03-13 |title=Man, woman accused in death of Edmonton security guard plead not guilty |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/man-woman-accused-in-death-of-edmonton-security-guard-plead-not-guilty-1.7483372 |access-date=2025-08-14 |website=CBC}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Commons category}}
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Singh, Harshandeep}}
[[Category:2004 births]]
[[Category:2024 deaths]]
[[Category:2024 murders in Canada]]
[[Category:Deaths by person in Canada]]
[[Category:December 2024 crimes in North America]]
[[Category:December 2024 in Canada]]
[[Category:Filmed killings in North America]]
[[Category:Viral videos]]
[[Category:Indian people murdered abroad]]
[[Category:Indian murder victims]]
[[Category:Murdered students]]
[[Category:People from Ambala district]]
[[Category:People from Haryana]]
[[Category:Punjabi Sikhs]]
[[Category:Security guards killed in the line of duty]]
[[Category:Murder in Alberta]]

Murder of Harshandeep Singh - Revision history

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