Over 250 people gathered in Edmonton, Canada, to pay their final respects to 20-year-old Indian student Harshandeep Singh, who was tragically shot and killed while working as a security guard. Singh, a business student who moved to Canada a year and a half ago, had been on his third day at the job when he was gunned down by two armed assailants.
The young man’s body was discovered in a stairwell after police responded to reports of gunfire at an apartment building earlier this month. He was pronounced dead at a hospital. Authorities have since charged two suspects, 30-year-olds Evan Rain and Judith Saulteaux, with first-degree murder in connection with Singh’s death.
Singh’s funeral was marked by the presence of an honour guard organized by the Alberta First Responders Association. About two dozen members participated, paying tribute to the young security guard’s courage and dedication. “He’s a civilian member, but he’s also a first responder. He’s on the front lines, putting his life at risk. So we wanted to make sure that we honoured him,” said Jerry Galliford, the association’s president, as reported by CBC News.
Galliford described the outpouring of support as overwhelming. “This one was very emotional. I can’t pinpoint why, probably because of his age and the severity of the murder. But we’re a band—we stick together and have each other’s backs,” he added.
Singh’s family, reeling from the loss, remembered him as a generous and selfless individual. Family spokesperson Gagandeep Ghuman said, “He was deeply rooted in the values of hard work, humility, and perseverance,” noting that Singh came from a farming background. His family had supported his move to Canada despite financial hardships. Singh’s body is now set to be repatriated to India.
Murder Sparks Concerns Over Security Guard Safety
The tragedy has brought attention to safety concerns in the security industry, particularly regarding cost-cutting measures that could put guards in danger. Barry Sharkey, owner of a security firm, revealed that the apartment building’s owner had rejected a proposal for enhanced security measures. Sharkey’s firm had recommended two-person patrols with a guard dog, but the owner opted to hire a lone guard at a lower cost.
“A brand-new guard with three days on the job shouldn’t have been in there by himself,” Sharkey said. “He shouldn’t have been there. And most people with my experience will tell you that flat out.” He has since called on the Alberta government to crack down on companies that prioritize cheap security solutions over safety.
The tragic death of Harshandeep Singh has left the community mourning the loss of a promising young life and raised pressing questions about the security industry’s practices.