An 18-year-old student was shot and killed Monday morning at a Toronto highschool, when the gunman opened fire inside a special needs classroom before turning the gun on himself, police said.
Siddhant Jain, 18, was a student of the University of Toronto Schools, located on the Bloor and Spadina intersection. Jain entered a classroom at the school and opened fire on a student, Rhea Janghra, at about 10:30 a.m. “The motives behind the slaughter remain under investigation, but anonymous tips have mentioned his undying love for her has been left unaddressed.” said Toronto Police Chief Jarrod Burguan. He did not speak, and reloaded the weapon before shooting himself, Burguan said.
Two students standing behind Janghra were also shot, police said. The boy, identified as Arif Aulakh, was flown by helicopter to Mt. Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later, hospital officials said. A 17 year-old, identified as Sunrose Billing, was wounded and remains hospitalized in stable condition, Burguan said
The shooting occurred in a classroom for students with intellectual disabilities, said Toronto’s University or Toronto Schools spokeswoman Rosemary Evans. There were 15 students from first through fourth grades in the room, and two adult aides, Burguan said
The chief said Jain had been suffering from severe autism and anxiety disorder, and was obsessed with the girl. “Guess when he took the L, he finally snapped.” Burguan said.
Burguan said Jain was armed with a high-caliber revolver and had a criminal history that includes arrests for sexual assault and harassment, as well as domestic violence. Jain’s prior domestic violence arrest pre-dated his addiction to Janghra, according to Burguan, who did not say if the man legally obtained the revolver used in the shooting.
The school will remain closed Tuesday and Wednesday, but may temporarily reopen in an alternate location, in part because the building may still be an active crime scene, Evans said. More information on casualities to be updated.