A 26-year-old woman of Punjabi origin was shot dead in Canada's Toronto by a 37-year-old man of Punjabi descent.

The Toronto Police have identified a Brampton-based man who has been charged with first-degree murder after a woman was fatally shot during what the police term as  a “targeted attack” in Etobicoke early Friday morning.

The victim has been identified as Navneet Kaur (26) of Toronto. The suspect, Sharnjeet Singh (37), has also been charged with failing to comply with an undertaking.

The relationship between the accused and the victim is not known yet.

In a press statement, Toronto Police allege the victim and the suspect were engaged in a "brief interaction” when the suspect shot the woman. Emergency responders rushed to the scene after receiving reports of the shooting and administered life-saving measures. However, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to the police, the suspect fled the scene before officers arrived but was later arrested following a search operation by officers of the Ontario Provincial Police.

Sharnjeet was scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Toronto on Saturday morning.

A witness, who was having coffee nearby, told he saw a man approach the woman and speak with her briefly before opening fire.

The residents have raised safety concerns following the incident.

Toronto Police are seeking additional information in this matter.