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Telangana student killed in shooting at US restaurant; police gainsay ‘hate crime’

News Nation Bureau | Edited By : Shashikant Sharma | Updated on: 08 Jul 2018, 11:51:59 AM
Deceased Indian student Sharath Koppu (Left); Suspected killer (on inset)

New Delhi:

A 26-year-old Indian student from Telangana was shot by an unidentified man at a restaurant in Kansas city of the United States. The victim, identified as Sharath Koppu was at J’s Fish and Chicken Market on Prospect Avenue when he was killed during a suspected robbery attempt.

“We immediately rendered aid in regard to the injuries. Once the fire department arrived, they transported him to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased,” The Kansas City Star quoted Capt Lionel Colon of the local police department as saying.

The police official said that Koppu’s killing was not a case of “hate crime” and could possibly be an "attempted robbery".

Koppu, a resident of Warangal district was working as an engineer in Hyderabad and had recently moved to the US for pursuing his masters in software engineering at the University of Missouri. He was working part-time at the restaurant in Kansas City where the incident took place.

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While everyone ducked, Sharath Koppu ran in opposite direction

When the gunman pushed a customer in front of him and opened fire, everyone ducked behind the counter but Kappu ran in the opposite direction and was shot in the back. He soon fell down and the gunman fled the spot. 

"The others ducked behind the counter but Sharath turned around and began to run in the opposite direction when the gunman opened fire. Sharath was shot in the back and soon fell to the ground," NDTV quoted Shahid, who runs J's Fish and Chicken Market, as saying.

Suspect caught in CCTV, Police offers USD 10,000 reward for any information about him

Meanwhile, the Kansas City Police Department has released the CCTV footage of the suspect. The police has also offered USD 10,000 reward for anyone who provides information about him.

In the brief CCTV footage released by the police, the suspect, a black man wearing brown-and-white striped t-shirt is seen walking in the restaurant. The man was hiding his hands with a pink towel.

Those having any information related to the suspect can call on 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477.

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First Published : 08 Jul 2018, 10:47:31 AM

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