Indian Engineer Shot Dead US; Attacker Shouted 'Get Out Of My Country'

Kansas(US):An Indian American engineer was shot dead in what appears to be a hate crime incident in Olathe city in Kansas on Wednesday night.

Srinivas Kuchibhotla (32), an aviation engineer at technology company Garmin, was killed allegedly by Adam Purinton, a 51-year-old Navy veteran. Kuchibhotla and his friend Alok Madasani were in a bar on Wednesday evening when Purinto confronted them with racial abuses, according to reports. “Get out of my country,” the shooter allegedly shouted before opening fire. Mr. Madasani, who was also injured, is not critical according to a spokesperson of Garmin. Ian Grillot, a bystander who intervened to save them was injured in the shooting.

A spokesperson of the Indian embassy said two Indian officials from the consulate in Huston are in Olathe, to assist the victims and help the investigation. The FBI is investigating the case from all angles, including the possibility that the crime was motivated by racial hatred, according to an official.

Originally from Hyderabad, Kuchibhotla was a B. Tech in electrical and electronics engineering from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University. He had a master’s degree from the University of Texas El Paso. Madasani graduated from Vasavi College of Engineering and came to the U.S a Master’s student at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Both worked at Garmin.

Purinton was arrested from a restaurant some 80 miles away from the scene of the crime, after he allegedly told a bartender he had killed two “Middle Eastern” men.

According to officials tracking the case and emerging news reports, the shooter was asked by the bar manager to leave the place when he started racial slurs against the Indians. He went out, but returned after 15 minutes, with a gun this time. Both Indians have been working on H1B visas. Mr. Madasani is from Warangal.

"During the incident a third person, an American, who tried to intervene also received injuries," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup said.

"Consul Mr. R.D Joshi is rushing from Houston to Kansas to render all possible assistance. Vice Consul, Mr. Harpal Singh is also proceeding from Dallas to Kansas.

They will meet the injured and facilitate in bringing the mortal remains of the deceased and will be in touch with local police officials to ascertain more details of the incident and monitor follow up action. They will also meet the community members in Kansas," he added.