Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla was killed and two others were injured after an American man opened fire on them in a crowded bar in Kansas City. It is not just the shooting but the fact that the man yelled “get out of my country” which raises eyebrows about how this is not just a crime but an incident of hate crime.
Who was Srinivas Kuchibhotla?
Srinivas belonged to Hyderabad and was working as an aviation programme manager at Garmin, an electronics manufacturer. He reportedly graduated from the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University in Hyderabad in 2005. He is survived by his wife, Sunayana, who also works in Kansas.
The shooter: Adam Purinton
51-year-old Adam Purinton reportedly got into an argument with the victims and shouted racial slurs like “get out of my country” and “terrorist” before training guns at them. He is also believed to have provoked them into getting into an argument and asked them which country they belonged to, and how they are better than him.
He left the bar after the argument only to return with a gun. He opened fire on the three men while they were watching the University of Kansas-TCU basketball game on television in the bar. He was arrested five hours after the incident and has been charged with murder and attempted murder.
Indian intervention:
Two Indian Embassy officials were rushed to Kansas to render all possible assistance. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted that she shocked at the shooting incident. “I have spoken to Indian Ambassador in US Mr Navtej Sarna. He informed me that two Indian Embassy officials have rushed to Kansas,” she said.
We will provide all help and assistance to the bereaved family.
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) February 24, 2017
External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup also said that the Indian Embassy officials will meet the injured and provide all possible assistance in facilitating the bringing back of the mortal remains of the deceased.
US reaction:
The United States Embassy in New Delhi has strongly condemned the incident, expressing regret and offering condolences. The Embassy has also assured a probe in this case and asserted that the US welcomes people from other countries.
.@USAndIndia condemns shooting, which left 1 Indian dead. "US is nation of immigrants, welcomes ppl to work, work, study, live":@USAmbIndia pic.twitter.com/oXz53MdS1y
— Devirupa Mitra (@DevirupaM) February 24, 2017
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