Hamilton cops bust Falls man in murder of innocent bystander
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The dreams of hard-working Mohawk College student Harsimrat Randhawa were shattered in a million pieces on a quiet April night.
The international student was fatally struck by a stray bullet while waiting at a bus stop near the intersection of Upper James St. and South Bend Rd. in Hamilton.
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She was an innocent bystander waiting for a bus to take her home after working out at a local gym when she was caught in a horrifying shootout in the quiet suburban neighbourhood. A bullet struck her in the chest.
Cops say that on April 17, 2025, around 7:30 p.m., Randhawa was caught in the crossfire of the violent altercation involving multiple vehicles.
On Thursday, Hamilton homicide detectives announced that on Tuesday, investigators with assistance from Niagara Regional Police, arrested 32-year-old Jerdaine Foster in Niagara Falls without incident.
Foster appeared in court on Wednesday and has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Randhawa and three counts of attempted murder. According to cops, at least seven individuals were involved in the violent altercation that led to her death.
“The investigation remains active and ongoing as police continue to identify, locate, and arrest those responsible,” police said in a news release.
Investigators unearthed a festering dispute between the occupants of the involved vehicles. Multiple gunshots were fired, with a single bullet ending the promising future of Randhawa. She had no involvement in the dispute.
Foster was arrested and charged in 2017 with sex trafficking. He was arrested after Niagara cops were tipped off that two underage girls were selling sex at a Falls hotel.
Foster, then 24, and Shamaree Salmon, 23, were charged with trafficking in persons under 18 years and receiving a material benefit contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada. The outcome of the sex trafficking case is not known.
Randhawa, 21, was in her second year studying occupational physiotherapy at the college.
“I’m truly at a loss for words. I don’t know what to say after the senseless tragedy,” Mohawk’s vice president of students and international, Katie Burrows said at a memorial honouring Randhawa in April.
“I’m sure that you all shared the heartbreak that I feel — a heartbreak for Harsimrat, who came to Canada to train for a career in helping others, and who I’m sure was looking forward to what her life would look like after she finished her program.”
One tribute to the tragic young woman read: “Harsimrat was not only a good friend but also a student with big dreams. She had goals and ambitions. Whenever I talked to her, she was cheerful, supportive and heartwarming. You’ll always be remembered and cherished.”
On Thursday, cops thanked the public for their assistance in the investigation.
Anyone with further information is urged to contact Det. Alex Buck at 905-546-4123 or if you wish to remain anonymous, you can provide information through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit a tip online at crimestoppershamilton.com.
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