A 25-year-old Indian man from Andhra Pradesh was among three people who were killed when a gunman opened fire in a bank in Cincinnati, USA, on Thursday. The gunman was later shot dead by the police. The incident took place at the headquarters for the Fifth Third Bank near Fountain Square in Cincinnati.
The deceased, identified as Pruthviraj Kandepi, was a native of Guntur district. Sandeep Chakravorty, India's Consul General in New York told PTI that the consulate was in touch with the police, Pruthviraj's family and members of his community in the city.
His family in Tenali town of Guntur district was shocked when his friends informed them about the incident over the phone.
The Telugu Association of North America (TANA) said that Pruthviraj was working as a consultant in the bank in the US state of Ohio, and added that they were making arrangements to send the mortal remains home.
Deeply saddened to hear about the tragic death of Tenali resident, Pruthviraj Kandepi, in Cincinnati earlier today. I will speak to External Affairs Minister, Smt Sushma Swaraj and extend support to bring his body back to India. My deepest condolences to his entire family.
— Jay Galla (@JayGalla) September 7, 2018
The other two deceased were identified as 48-year-old Luis Felipe Calderon and 64-year-old Richard Newcomer. They were shot dead on Thursday by 29-year-old Omar Perez. Five others were also injured in the incident.
According to reports, Cincinnati Police Chief Eliot Isaac said Perez acted alone and he entered multiple businesses before going to the bank.
He opened fire in the building's loading dock before continuing into the lobby area and firing more shots, Isaac told reporters.
Thursday's incident is the second this year where an Indian was shot dead in the US.
In July, 26-year-old Sharat Koppu, from Telangana was shot dead by an unidentified person at a restaurant in Kansas City, Missouri.
In 2017, Hyderabad techie Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed in a racial attack at a bar in Kansas state.
With IANS inputs