A 19-year-old Brock University student who was aspiring to become a doctor was shot and killed Saturday night in Hamilton after trying to help an elderly man who was being accosted by two other men.

Yosif Al-Hasnawi had just stepped outside of a mosque where he was attending a religious party when he noticed the altercation.

According to police, when he tried to step in, one of the men then shot him with a hand gun.

Al-Hasnawi was the oldest of five children and was in his first year at Brock.

University President Gervan Fearon said the Brock community is shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the death of our colleague Yosif Al-Hasnawi.

“Our deepest sympathies go to his family. The University continues to seek further information about the circumstances of this tragedy, and is reaching out to support Yosif’s family.”

The shooting occurred on Sanford Ave. at around 9 p.m.