FILE PHOTO - Harmandeep Kaur

Image Credit: GOFUNDME/Justice for Harmandeep Kaur

UBC Okanagan will be holding a vigil this afternoon for Harmandeep Kaur, a security guard who was killed during her shift the university.

Kaur, 24, died in hospital after she was assaulted by a man working at the University Centre building on campus, Feb. 26. She was working as a security guard with Paladin Security. Kelowna RCMP said the man was arrested under the Mental Health Act and may be facing murder charges.

READ MORE: Family of murdered Kelowna security guard arrives in B.C. for funeral

The vigil will be held today, March 4, outside of the UNC building at the Kelowna campus from 2 to 4 p.m., according to a statement from the university. It is open to the public. A funeral will be held tomorrow for Kaur in Squamish.

“A book of condolence will be available to sign and support services from across campus will be available with additional resources. Flags on the UBC Okanagan campus will be lowered on Friday, March 4, 2022, in memory of Harmandeep,” said Lesley Cormack, deputy-vice chancellor with the university, in the statement.

Originally from India, Kaur came to Canada in 2015 with the dream of attending university to become a paramedic. An online fundraiser for her family has raised more than $60,000. 

“While the RCMP’s criminal investigation is underway and must continue unencumbered, a WorkSafe B.C. incident investigation is also taking place. As a multi-employer workplace, UBCO will be working very closely with Best Service Pro, our janitorial service provider, and Paladin Security, the victim’s employer, to review our collective processes,” Cormack said.

Best Service Pro could not be immediately reached for comment.

Kelowna city councillor Mohini Singh criticized the security company, asking why Kaur was working alone in the middle of the night. She is also advocating for more mental health supports in the community.

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