In an alleged incident of racism, two Indian men were shot at a crowded bar on Wednesday night in Kansas in the United States, by a Navy veteran, after he reportedly yelled 'get out of my country'.
Both the men were engineers for Garmin, and have been identified as Srinivas Kuchibhotlaand Alok Madasani. A third man, Ian Grillot, was also shot and injured after he tried to intervene.
Srinivas, a Hyderabad-native, succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital.
It is also suspected that accused shot at the Indians, assuming that they were middle eastern.
According to reports, 51-year-old Adam Purinton opened fire at Austin's Bar and Grill in Olathe, before heading to an Applebee's in Clinton Missouri, where he told an employee that he needed a place to hide, as he had just shot 'Middle Eastern' men.
He was arrested around five hours after the shooting, when the Applebee's employee called up the police.
According to a report in The Kansas City Star, witnesses said that the man was drinking and making racial slurs. The residents of his nrighbourhood also said that he may have suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
The Kansas Star report also quotes a public statement by Garmin, as saying, “We’re saddened that two Garmin associates were involved in last night’s incident, and we express our condolences to the family and friends of our co-workers involved. Garmin will have grievance counselors on-site and available for its associates today and tomorrow.”
Other reports add that Srinivas had a Master's degree in electrical and electronics engineering from University of Texas at El Paso. He had been working with Garmin since 2014.
A 'GoFundMe' campaign has also been started, to collect funds for his body to be brought back home.
"Srini was the kindest person you would meet, full of love, care and compassion for everyone. He never uttered a word of hatred, a simple gossip, or a careless comment. He was brilliant, well mannered and simply an outstanding human being. His wife Sunayana and his family are now faced with incredible grief and a multitude of expenses," the campaign plea reads.
"We've set up this fund to help them with the funeral expenses and other ongoing grief / recovery support costs. This includes the very expensive process of carrying his mortal remains back to India, so his parents can say goodbye one last time to their beloved son," it adds.
Another crowdfunding campaign has been started for the third victim too.
Adam Purinton was arrested and presented in court.
This comes close on the heels of another Telugu student from Warangal, Vamshi Reddy Mamidala, who was shot dead in the US last week.
The techie was shot dead by an alleged drug addict in Milpitas, California on February 10, in the garage of his apartment building.
The drug addict was trying to flee after robbing a woman.
Police later arrested the accused, identified as Stuart Baronngaue, (30).
*****If you live in Olathe near 151st/Mur-Len....police warning to STAY INSIDE if you see officers nearby pic.twitter.com/yVLOhxIccU
— Tom Dempsey (@KCTomDempsey) February 23, 2017
Looking for clues, information, police are canvassing the neighborhood near 155th Terr and S. Lindenwood Dr. in Olathe. #olatheshooting pic.twitter.com/QUv7XHjNPM
— Tammy Ljungblad (@kctammy2009) February 23, 2017
Adam Purinton, 51, has been booked into Henry County, Mo., Jail. He's suspect in Austins shooting in Olathe. @KCStar https://t.co/YdrO0toM90 pic.twitter.com/TfPjhBz53r
— Greg Farmer (@gregfarmerKC) February 23, 2017
I am shocked at the shooting incident in Kansas in which Srinivas Kuchibhotla has been killed. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved family.
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) February 24, 2017
I have spoken to Indian Ambassador in US Mr.Navtej Sarna. He informed me that two Indian Embassy officials have rushed to Kansas.
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) February 24, 2017