Telangana Youth Shot Dead in US While Delivering Pizza

Hyderabad (IANS): A 28-year-old youth from Telangana was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A suspected fake pizza order drew the victim to a deserted location where the incident took place.

The gunmen shot Anshul Kuncha multiple times in the north-eastern US city. Information received by Kuncha’s family in Gundlapochampally, Medchal Malkajgiri district, indicates that the assailants killed him on the intervening night of Friday and Saturday.

While working full-time at a multinational company, Kuncha also delivered pizzas part-time on weekends to earn extra money. The attackers shot him at point-blank range when he arrived to deliver the suspected fake order.

Family reports state that Kuncha accepted a delivery order to a deserted location past midnight. When he arrived, two unidentified men opened fire, shooting him multiple times in the head before fleeing the scene. Kuncha died on the spot.

The attackers stole nothing from the victim, raising questions about their motive. Reports cited by the family indicate that witnesses saw two masked gunmen carrying backpacks in the area around the time of the attack.

Family Suspects a Trap

Kuncha’s family alleges that the perpetrators used the pizza delivery to trap and kill him.

“Someone told him to deliver pizza to an abandoned area, but we later learned it was a decoy. No one lived there; it was a trap, meant solely to kill him. We do not know what they gained or what their intentions were. They took my brother and killed him,” said Kuncha’s sister, Tanvi.

The family also noted that criminals had previously robbed Kuncha in the US, taking his chain, phone, and cash. Kuncha had moved to the US in 2023 to pursue a Master’s in Business Administration.

Government Response and Repatriation

The family has appealed to both the Central and State governments to help bring Kuncha’s body back to India.

US authorities will likely hand over the body on Monday. The family has requested that officials expedite the process to avoid any delays.

Meanwhile, the Consulate General of India in New York stated that officials are maintaining contact with local authorities and the bereaved family to extend all possible assistance.

The Consulate posted on X: “We are deeply saddened by the untimely demise of Mr. Anshul Kuncha, an Indian national in Philadelphia, PA. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go to his family during this difficult time. The Consulate is maintaining contact with Anshul’s family and is extending all possible assistance.”