Indian-origin man killed in Canada after confronting stranger urinating on his car: What really happened in Edmonton?

In a disturbing incident that has once again highlighted the growing unease among Indian-origin communities in Canada, a 55-year-old businessman, Arvi Singh Sagoo, was fatally assaulted in Edmonton after confronting a man who was urinating on his car.

The unprovoked attack took place in the early hours of October 19. Sagoo, who was out for dinner with his girlfriend, was attacked after questioning a stranger’s offensive behaviour. He was rushed to hospital in critical condition and remained on life support for five days before succumbing to his injuries on October 24.

According to the Edmonton Police Service (EPS), a 40-year-old man identified as Kyle Papin has been arrested and charged with aggravated assault in connection with the case. Police described the incident as “completely unprovoked”, confirming that there was no prior connection between the victim and the accused.

What happened that night

According to Sagoo’s brother, the couple was returning to their car after dinner when they saw people urinating on it. “Hey, what are you doing?” Arvi asked the stranger, his brother told Global News. “Whatever I want,” one of them replied before walking up and punching Arvi in the head.

He collapsed immediately as his girlfriend called 911 for help. Paramedics arrived to find him unresponsive and rushed him to hospital, where he was placed on life support. Despite doctors’ efforts, he did not recover.

Sagoo’s family and friends described him as a warm-hearted and devoted father of two. A close friend, Vincent Ram, has launched a fundraiser to support the victim’s children and cover funeral and living expenses. “This fundraiser aims to support a very kind and loving father who is facing death and ensuring that his two children have the necessary resources and support during this challenging time,” the message on the page reads.

A rising tide of hate and fear

The killing comes amid a disturbing increase in hate crimes targeting Indian and South Asian communities in Canada. A report by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD), a UK-based research organisation tracking extremism, found that hate crimes against South Asians in Canada have surged by 227 per cent between 2019 and 2023.

The ISD noted that such incidents are occurring both online and offline, pointing to a deepening climate of hostility. On social media, posts containing anti-South Asian slurs, particularly against Indians, have risen by 1,350 per cent on X (formerly Twitter) during the same period.

One recent incident that sparked outrage involved a young man hurling racist slurs at an Indian-origin woman working at a store in Oakville, Ontario, telling her to “go back to India.” In the viral video, he can be heard shouting, “Go back to your fg country, you as Indian.” Reports said several South Asian employees in the area have faced repeated harassment by local teenagers.

Experts warn that this growing wave of racism and targeted violence has created fear and anxiety among Canada’s large Indian diaspora. The ISD report also cautioned that such hate “not only threatens the safety and mental well-being of South Asian communities but also discourages them from participating in public life,” leaving many feeling unsafe even in their neighbourhoods.