Indian-origin man in US shot family, then killed himself, police suspect
Days after a family of four hailing from India were found dead inside their house in West Des Moines, Iowa in the United States on Saturday, preliminary investigation by the local police suggests that the father may have shot his wife and children, before killing himself.
The deceased have been identified as 44-year-old Chandrasekhar Sunkara, his wife Lavanya Sunkara and their two children, aged 10 and 15 years. Multiple reports suggested that the victims were Telugu.
In a statement on June 17, the West Des Moines police said, "Investigation continues into the Sunkara family deaths on June 15. Autopsies were conducted by the State Medical Examiner’s Office and the cause of death for the family members was determined to be gunshot wounds. The manners of death for Lavanya Sunkara and the two boys are homicide. The manner of death for Chandrasekhar Sunkara is suicide."
"West Des Moines Police have more information related to the death investigation in the 900 block of 65th Street. Officials are working with surviving family members to provide support. Investigators are continuing to review evidence and conduct interviews. The Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation is processing the scene as West Des Moines detectives continue their investigation," the statement added.
According to the police, relatives -- two adults and two children -- were staying as guests with the family. On discovering the bodies, one of the relatives fled the house and asked passersby for help, who then dialled 911 and informed the local authorities.
Chandrasekhar was an IT professional with the Iowa Department of Public Safety, while Lavanya worked at a software company.
Following the incident, the police asked Indians in the region not to panic and said the deaths do not come across as a threat to the others in the community living in the United States.
The Telugu community in the US has contacted the Indian embassy and are making arrangements to help the bereaved family back in India.