Support pours in for family of slain UBC Okanagan security guard

The young woman who was killed while working as a security guard at UBC’s Okanagan campus in Kelowna last weekend is being remembered as a “beloved daughter, sister, and friend” who came to Canada from India to pursue her dream of helping others by becoming a paramedic.

The victim has been identified as Harmandeep Kaur. An online fundraiser was launched to help her family travel to Kelowna and pay for the funeral. In the first four hours, it raised more than $15,000.

Kaur moved to Vancouver in 2015, and received her permanent residency last month. She was looking forward to welcoming her parents for a visit in April.

“Despite the challenges she faced as she tried to make her way in a new country away from her family back home in India, she always kept her positive attitude and determined spirit,” the GoFundMe says.

“Despite the distance, she was very close with her family — especially her mother. And everyone that loved her, and continues to love her, experienced the generous support she would give to those around her, always ready to do anything that made the lives of her loved ones safer and happier.”

RELATED: UBC Okanagan security guard dies after assault on campus

According to police, officers were called to the UBC Okanagan campus on Saturday at 5:55 a.m. after they received reports of an assault. The 24-year-old died the next day.

“Upon initial investigation, it has been determined a man working at the university assaulted a security guard,” Kelowna RCMP said in a statement.

The suspect was identified and apprehended under the Mental Health Act. He remains in hospital and could face murder charges.

24 Yrs old Harmandeep Kaur, was brutally attacked and murdered while working as a security guard on the UBC Okanagan campus, succumbing to her injuries a day later. She just received her PR card just 3 weeks ago .. pic.twitter.com/4PSpkRhWCT

— Prabhjot Kahlon (@PrabhjotKahlon) March 2, 2022

According to the GoFundMe, Kaur’s death was all the more tragic because she had hoped to someday attend the university she was working at.

“Since she was a child, Harmandeep was such a bright student and always excited to learn. She risked and lost her young life while patrolling the very grounds that she had hoped to one day walk as a student. There are no words to describe how much Harmandeep will be missed by her mother, father, and brother, as well as all of her extended family and friends,” the fundraising page continues.

“At this point, we want justice for Harmandeep and her senseless, unprovoked, and devastating death. Her life was taken far too soon.”

Okanagan community grieves

Among the donors are those who knew Kaur through her previous job at a Kelowna grocery store.

“I am in total shock that something so horrible could happen to such a wonderful person. She lit up the room with her positive and playful nature and I immediately knew she would become a friend, not just a co-worker. She had such a bright future ahead of her and was an inspiration to follow one’s dreams. My heart goes out to her family and friends. Her parents should be proud of the lovely, resilient young woman they raised and she spoke so highly of her family,” one person writes.

“My mom worked with Harmandeep at a grocery store and adored her immensely. She would come home from work and tell me how kind, hard working and intelligent Harmandeep is. She always told me about her and all the sweet things she did during the day for others,” says another.

The community is left heartbroken after the death of 24-year-old Harmandeep Kaur at UBC Okanagan. Courtesy: Facebook/Harmandeep Kaur

A Kelowna city councillor says the death has sent shockwaves through the close knit community. Mohini Singh says she knows Kaur’s cousin and the family is heartbroken and looking for answers.

“Her parents thought they were sending their daughter to a country which was safe and this happened. I could not imagine …what her mother is going through,” Mohini Singh said.

“We, as a community, we have to step up and really support the family the best we can,” she said.

“This situation speaks to the need for more services for people with mental health conditions.”

UBC Okanagan provides emotional support assistance

The university says the incident was isolated and there is no threat to students or staff.

“I also understand that many on campus will feel shaken by this news and I encourage everyone to seek out the support and services offered to students, faculty and staff,” UBC Okanagan Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Principal Lesley Cormack wrote in a statement Feb. 28.

The university says it understand that students want answers, but the immediate priority is to support those affected by the tragedy, including her coworkers.

“All of our security personnel are deeply valued members of our campus community. They work tirelessly every day to keep our students, faculty and staff safe and to be a welcoming, friendly and reassuring face when help is needed. This is an incredibly difficult time for our campus and I ask that we all respect the privacy and dignity of our community members,” the statement reads.