US Navy veteran Adam Purinton who killed an Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla last year pleaded guilty on Monday in federal court to hate crime and firearm charges.&nbsp;

Kansas-based Purinton had already pleaded guilty to state charges for murder and attempted murder and was sentenced to life in prison last month. The local prosecutor said at the time that Purinton will not be eligible for parole for 50 years.

The sentencing is scheduled for July 2, the Justice Department said both federal prosecutors and the defence are seeking the maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

Adam Purinton is accused of killing Srinivas in a racially motivated hate crime at a bar in Kansas City last year. 52-year-old Purinton was charged with first-degree murder of Kuchibhotla. He was also charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder of Kuchibhotla's friend, Alok Madasani, and a bystander who had chased Purinton after he fled the bar.

According to reports, Purinton, yelled, "Get out of my country," before shooting Kuchibhotla, who succumbed to injuries and was declared dead.

The 33-year-old victim, Srinivas, hailed from Hyderabad and moved to the US to study engineering at the University of Texas. He worked as an aviation systems engineer at Garmin. Srinivas used to meet his friends customarily at Kansas's Austin's Bar and Grill where the tragic incident occurred on February 22 last year.&nbsp;

Srinivas' murder sparked international outcry and raised debates over hate crimes and racial bullying in the country shortly after President Donald Trump's inauguration.&nbsp;

Another incident of racial bullying surfaced in the United States when a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/watch-new-york-lawyer-threatens-to-deport-cafe-workers-for-speaking-in-spanish-137967">Manhattan-based lawyer</a> was seen hurling racial slurs at Spanish speaking staff of a restaurant.&nbsp;

The video of the incident has gone viral and shows the man threatening the staff and shouting at them for speaking in Spanish. "The clients of your staff are speaking Spanish to customers when they should be speaking English," the man said in the video.&nbsp;

"I pay for their welfare, I pay for their ability to be here. The least they could do is speak English," the man shouted and threatened to deport the cafe workers.&nbsp;

(With inputs from Reuters)&nbsp;

Adam Purinton is accused of killing Kuchibhotla in a racially-motivated hate crime at a bar in Kansas City last year

US Navy veteran Adam Purinton who killed an Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla last year pleaded guilty on Monday in federal court to hate crime and firearm charges. Kansas-based Purinton had already pleaded guilty to state charges for murder and attempted murder and was sentenced to life in prison last month. The local prosecutor said at the time that Purinton will not be eligible for parole for 50 years. The sentencing is scheduled for July 2, the Justice Department said both federal prosecutors and the defence are seeking the maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Adam Purinton is accused of killing Srinivas in a racially motivated hate crime at a bar in Kansas City last year. 52-year-old Purinton was charged with first-degree murder of Kuchibhotla. He was also charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder of Kuchibhotla's friend, Alok Madasani, and a bystander who had chased Purinton after he fled the bar. According to reports, Purinton, yelled, "Get out of my country," before shooting Kuchibhotla, who succumbed to injuries and was declared dead. The 33-year-old victim, Srinivas, hailed from Hyderabad and moved to the US to study engineering at the University of Texas. He worked as an aviation systems engineer at Garmin. Srinivas used to meet his friends customarily at Kansas's Austin's Bar and Grill where the tragic incident occurred on February 22 last year. Srinivas' murder sparked international outcry and raised debates over hate crimes and racial bullying in the country shortly after President Donald Trump's inauguration. Another incident of racial bullying surfaced in the United States when a Manhattan-based lawyer was seen hurling racial slurs at Spanish speaking staff of a restaurant. The video of the incident has gone viral and shows the man threatening the staff and shouting at them for speaking in Spanish. "The clients of your staff are speaking Spanish to customers when they should be speaking English," the man said in the video. "I pay for their welfare, I pay for their ability to be here. The least they could do is speak English," the man shouted and threatened to deport the cafe workers. (With inputs from Reuters)

US gunman accused of murdering Indian techie Srinivas Kuchibhotla pleads guilty to hate crime

Building on the theme of a safe, strong and proud America, President Donald Trump will deliver his first <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/what-is-state-of-the-union-address-31215">State of the Union address</a> to Congress tomorrow, which among others would be attended by Sunayana Dumala, the widow of an Indian engineer&nbsp;Srinivas Kuchibhotla who was shot dead in a hate crime.

The State of the Union address is a traditional annual speech of the US president to a joint session of the Congress where he gives an account of the situation in the country.

President Trump yesterday said he will focus largely on trade and immigration during his first speech.

&quot;It&#39;s a big speech, an important speech, we covered immigration,&quot; Trump said.

&quot;We worked on it hard, covered a lot of territory, including our great success with the markets and with the tax cut,&quot; he added.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters that the theme of the address is, &#39;Building a safe, strong, and proud America,&#39; which is exactly what the president has worked to do during his first year in office.

It will be must-watch TV, she said as she gave details of the guests who will be sitting in the First Lady&#39;s Box.

&quot;Some of these individuals&#39; stories are heroic, some are patriotic, others are tragic. But all of them represent the unbreakable American spirit, and will inspire our nation to continue growing stronger, prouder, and more prosperous,&quot; Sanders said.

The State of the Union address is a traditional annual speech of the US president to a joint session of the Congress where he gives an account of the situation in the country

Building on the theme of a safe, strong and proud America, President Donald Trump will deliver his first State of the Union address to Congress tomorrow, which among others would be attended by Sunayana Dumala, the widow of an Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla who was shot dead in a hate crime. The State of the Union address is a traditional annual speech of the US president to a joint session of the Congress where he gives an account of the situation in the country. President Trump yesterday said he will focus largely on trade and immigration during his first speech. "It's a big speech, an important speech, we covered immigration," Trump said. "We worked on it hard, covered a lot of territory, including our great success with the markets and with the tax cut," he added. White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters that the theme of the address is, 'Building a safe, strong, and proud America,' which is exactly what the president has worked to do during his first year in office. It will be must-watch TV, she said as she gave details of the guests who will be sitting in the First Lady's Box. "Some of these individuals' stories are heroic, some are patriotic, others are tragic. But all of them represent the unbreakable American spirit, and will inspire our nation to continue growing stronger, prouder, and more prosperous," Sanders said.

In Trump's first State of the Union address, Indian techie's widow will be among guests

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/kansas-bar-shooting-hero-honoured-by-indian-american-community-13820">24-year-old American Ian Grillot</a>, who was hit with bullets during an attack on Indian techie Srinivas Kuchibothla in February at the Austins Bar and Grill in Olath, Kansas has been honoured by Time magazine.

The magazine<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-navy-veteran-charged-with-killing-indian-in-kansas-bar-12768"> has named Grillot as &quot;5 heroes</a> who gave us hope in 2017&quot;.&nbsp;

Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed after an American ex-Navy veteran opened fire at the Kansas bar. &nbsp;

Police had filed a case against Adam Purinton, 51, for possible &quot;hate crime&quot; and charged him with one count of premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of attempted premeditated first-degree murder.

The murder was taken up by the Indian foreign ministry later which had requested US authorities to conduct a &quot;thorough and speedy investigation&quot;.

Grillot was severely injured during the shooting.&nbsp;He told Time that,&quot;I wouldn&#39;t have been able to live with myself if I didn&#39;t do anything.&quot;

&quot;Without all the prayers and positive support from everybody, I wouldn&#39;t be doing as well as I am right now. It has been a wonderful year and a blessing to be alive,&quot; Grillot told PTI later.

Grillot was watching a basketball game on TV at the restaurant when Purinton approached Srinivas and another Indian Alok and reportedly told them to &quot;get out of my country.&quot;

Grillot was shot in the chest during the attack on Srinivas as he tried to fend off Purinton.

Srinivas Kuchibhotla was ultimately cremated in Bachupally area on the outskirts of Hyderabad.

Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed after an American ex-Navy veteran opened fire at the Kansas bar. ?

24-year-old American Ian Grillot, who was hit with bullets during an attack on Indian techie Srinivas Kuchibothla in February at the Austins Bar and Grill in Olath, Kansas has been honoured by Time magazine. The magazine has named Grillot as "5 heroes who gave us hope in 2017". Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed after an American ex-Navy veteran opened fire at the Kansas bar. Police had filed a case against Adam Purinton, 51, for possible "hate crime" and charged him with one count of premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of attempted premeditated first-degree murder. The murder was taken up by the Indian foreign ministry later which had requested US authorities to conduct a "thorough and speedy investigation". Grillot was severely injured during the shooting. He told Time that,"I wouldn't have been able to live with myself if I didn't do anything." "Without all the prayers and positive support from everybody, I wouldn't be doing as well as I am right now. It has been a wonderful year and a blessing to be alive," Grillot told PTI later. Grillot was watching a basketball game on TV at the restaurant when Purinton approached Srinivas and another Indian Alok and reportedly told them to "get out of my country." Grillot was shot in the chest during the attack on Srinivas as he tried to fend off Purinton. Srinivas Kuchibhotla was ultimately cremated in Bachupally area on the outskirts of Hyderabad.

Time magazine honours American Ian Grillot who took bullets during attack on Indian techie in Kansas

A 57-year-old doctor of Indian origin has been stabbed to death in Kansas in the US.&nbsp;

The accused has been arrested.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Visuals?src=hash">#Visuals</a> from the residence of doctor Achutha Reddy in Telangana&#39;s Nalgonda; he was stabbed to death in Kansas, US <a href="https://t.co/B1gh9HT9ve">pic.twitter.com/B1gh9HT9ve</a>
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My brother has been living in USA since last 25 years. Our family is in shock right now: N Aravind Reddy, Achutha Reddy&#39;s brother <a href="https://t.co/rfacjxCY4Y">pic.twitter.com/rfacjxCY4Y</a>
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This is the second killing of an Indian in Kansas after Srinivas Kuchibhotla was shot dead in a bar in February.&nbsp;

Police said the suspected attacker, identified as Umar Rashid Dutt, 21, was a patient of Dr Achutha Reddy&#39;s.&nbsp;

Dr Reddy was a psychiatrist; news reports said Dutt was a patient of his.&nbsp;

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Dr Achutha Reddy with his family. (Facebook)
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The reports said Dutt attacked Reddy after a conversation.&nbsp;

The reports added that the attack on Reddy began in his clinic and that when he tried to get away, Dutt chased him down.&nbsp;

Reddy was found in an alley behind his clinic in East Wichita.&nbsp;

The reports added that Dutt was found at a country club after a security guard reported a suspicious-looking man sitting in a car with blood on his clothes.&nbsp;

This is the second killing of an Indian in Kansas after Srinivas Kuchibhotla was shot dead in a bar in February

A 57-year-old doctor of Indian origin has been stabbed to death in Kansas in the US. The accused has been arrested. #Visuals from the residence of doctor Achutha Reddy in Telangana's Nalgonda; he was stabbed to death in Kansas, US pic.twitter.com/B1gh9HT9ve — ANI (@ANI) September 15, 2017 × My brother has been living in USA since last 25 years. Our family is in shock right now: N Aravind Reddy, Achutha Reddy's brother pic.twitter.com/rfacjxCY4Y — ANI (@ANI) September 15, 2017 × This is the second killing of an Indian in Kansas after Srinivas Kuchibhotla was shot dead in a bar in February. Police said the suspected attacker, identified as Umar Rashid Dutt, 21, was a patient of Dr Achutha Reddy's. Dr Reddy was a psychiatrist; news reports said Dutt was a patient of his. Dr Achutha Reddy with his family. (Facebook) × The reports said Dutt attacked Reddy after a conversation. The reports added that the attack on Reddy began in his clinic and that when he tried to get away, Dutt chased him down. Reddy was found in an alley behind his clinic in East Wichita. The reports added that Dutt was found at a country club after a security guard reported a suspicious-looking man sitting in a car with blood on his clothes.

Indian-origin doctor stabbed to death in the US

A&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;man, accused of shouting &quot;get out of my country&quot; as he shot dead one Indian man and injured another at a bar, faces federal hate crime and firearms charges, the US&nbsp;Justice Department said on Friday.

A US&nbsp;grand jury indicted Adam Purinton, 52, on charges of killing Srinivas Kuchibhotla and wounding Alok Madasani, both 32, because of their race, color, religion and national origin.&nbsp;

Purinton was also charged with a federal firearms violation in the February&nbsp;22 incident at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe, a&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;City suburb. The shootings also injured an American, Ian Grillot, 24, who tried to intervene.

&quot;The indictment alleges that Purinton committed the offenses after substantial planning and premeditation, attempted to kill more than one person in a single criminal episode, and knowingly created a grave risk of death to others on the scene,&quot; the Justice Department said in a news release.

An attorney for Purinton could not immediately be reached for comment. He also faces state murder and attempted murder charges.

Local media reported at the time that Purinton thought he had killed two Iranian men.

Purinton&#39;s indictment comes amid growing concern about a wave of hateful actions across the United States aimed at blacks, Jews, Muslims and other groups targeted by inflammatory rhetoric that gained prominence during the 2016 presidential election.

If convicted, Purinton could face capital punishment or life in prison. Justice officials said they had not yet decided whether to seek the death penalty.

Adam Purinton was indicted on charges of killing Srinivas Kuchibhotla and wounding Alok Madasani, both 32, because of their race, color, religion and national origin

A Kansas man, accused of shouting "get out of my country" as he shot dead one Indian man and injured another at a bar, faces federal hate crime and firearms charges, the US Justice Department said on Friday. A US grand jury indicted Adam Purinton, 52, on charges of killing Srinivas Kuchibhotla and wounding Alok Madasani, both 32, because of their race, color, religion and national origin. Purinton was also charged with a federal firearms violation in the February 22 incident at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe, a Kansas City suburb. The shootings also injured an American, Ian Grillot, 24, who tried to intervene. "The indictment alleges that Purinton committed the offenses after substantial planning and premeditation, attempted to kill more than one person in a single criminal episode, and knowingly created a grave risk of death to others on the scene," the Justice Department said in a news release. An attorney for Purinton could not immediately be reached for comment. He also faces state murder and attempted murder charges. Local media reported at the time that Purinton thought he had killed two Iranian men. Purinton's indictment comes amid growing concern about a wave of hateful actions across the United States aimed at blacks, Jews, Muslims and other groups targeted by inflammatory rhetoric that gained prominence during the 2016 presidential election. If convicted, Purinton could face capital punishment or life in prison. Justice officials said they had not yet decided whether to seek the death penalty.

Kansas shooting: Adam Purinton charged with federal hate crime for shooting Indian men

Ian Grillot, the 24-year-old&nbsp;American, who was hit by a bullet when he tried to intervene in the Kansas bar shooting incident in which Srinivas Kuchibothla was killed, was honoured by the Indian-American community at the 14th annual gala of India House Houston.

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Kansas shooting: Indian-Americans honour Ian Grillot for his heroism with USD 1,00,000 cheque 
 
Read <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news">@ANI_news</a> story:<a href="https://t.co/7TK8VAl7Ui">https://t.co/7TK8VAl7Ui</a> <a href="https://t.co/T3fk0gwUjH">pic.twitter.com/T3fk0gwUjH</a>
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The community raised $100,000 to help him buy a house in his hometown in Kansas.

&ldquo;On behalf of the Indian-American community in Houston, India House recognised this selfless act beyond the call of duty and has extended the community&rsquo;s gratitude to Ian Grillot by helping him to buy a house,&rdquo; said a statement posted on the India House Houston Facebook page.

The money was raised as part of an initiative supported by the Consul General of India Dr Anupam Rayn.

The cheque was handed over to Ian by India&#39;s ambassador to the United States, Navtej Sarna.

&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know if I could have lived with myself if I wouldn not have stopped or attempted to stop the shooter because that would have been completely devastating. I do now have a very powerful message and if I can help empower people and spread hope and love, then why not? I am honored to be at India House that serves so many families from so many communities in the Houston area,&rdquo; Ian said.

India House is a community center built by Americans of Indian origin in the Greater Houston area.

&ldquo;It is not every day that one meets a genuine hero -- a person who risks his life for another, and takes a bullet for a complete stranger. Ian Grillot is a man who reminds us of the promise of America and its greatness,&rdquo; said Jiten Agarwal, a prominent Houstonian and Chair of the annual gala.

(WION with inputs from PTI)

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Ian Grillot was hit by a bullet when he tried to intervene in a shooting incident targetting Indians at a bar in Kansas

Ian Grillot, the 24-year-old American, who was hit by a bullet when he tried to intervene in the Kansas bar shooting incident in which Srinivas Kuchibothla was killed, was honoured by the Indian-American community at the 14th annual gala of India House Houston. Kansas shooting: Indian-Americans honour Ian Grillot for his heroism with USD 1,00,000 cheque Read @ANI_news story:https://t.co/7TK8VAl7Ui pic.twitter.com/T3fk0gwUjH — ANI Digital (@ani_digital) March 26, 2017 × The community raised $100,000 to help him buy a house in his hometown in Kansas. “On behalf of the Indian-American community in Houston, India House recognised this selfless act beyond the call of duty and has extended the community’s gratitude to Ian Grillot by helping him to buy a house,” said a statement posted on the India House Houston Facebook page. The money was raised as part of an initiative supported by the Consul General of India Dr Anupam Rayn. The cheque was handed over to Ian by India's ambassador to the United States, Navtej Sarna. “I don’t know if I could have lived with myself if I wouldn not have stopped or attempted to stop the shooter because that would have been completely devastating. I do now have a very powerful message and if I can help empower people and spread hope and love, then why not? I am honored to be at India House that serves so many families from so many communities in the Houston area,” Ian said. India House is a community center built by Americans of Indian origin in the Greater Houston area. “It is not every day that one meets a genuine hero -- a person who risks his life for another, and takes a bullet for a complete stranger. Ian Grillot is a man who reminds us of the promise of America and its greatness,” said Jiten Agarwal, a prominent Houstonian and Chair of the annual gala. (WION with inputs from PTI)

Kansas bar shooting hero honoured by Indian-American community

Home minister Rajnath Singh said today that alleged hate crimes against Indians in the US are being viewed seriously by India, and the government will make a statement on the matter next in Parliament, <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/govt-views-hate-crimes-against-indians-in-the-us-seriously-rajnath-singh/articleshow/57553238.cms" target="_blank">Times of India reports.&nbsp;</a>

At least two people of Indian-origin&nbsp;in recent weeks have been killed in the US&nbsp;in incidents of apparent hate crimes.&nbsp;

On February 22,&nbsp;in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/kansas-shooting-gunman-thought-hed-shot-two-iranians-12898" target="_blank">Kansas</a>, Olathe, a man shot three&nbsp;men--including Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who died--because he said he thought they were Iranian. Before firing, a witness heard the shooter say,&nbsp;&quot;Get out of my country&quot;.

On March 3, 43-year-old&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/indian-origin-businessman-harnish-patel-shot-dead-in-us-13025" target="_blank">Harnish Patel</a> was killed in South Carolina, when he was shot dead within ten minutes of closing up his store for the night.&nbsp;

While it wasn&#39;t fatal,&nbsp;on March 5,&nbsp;a 39-year-old Sikh man, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/sikh-man-shot-in-us-in-suspected-hate-crime-13052" target="_blank">Deep Rai</a>,&nbsp;was shot in the arm. Rai alleges he also heard the shooter&nbsp;say prior to firing, &quot;Get out of my country!&quot;.

Opposition members have raised the issue in the Lok Sabha, and the home minister said that the government has taken serious&nbsp;note.

During Question Hour he said&nbsp;a statement from the government&nbsp;would be forthcoming from Parliament next week.

Ananth Kumar, the Parliamentary affairs minister, also said the government was very concerned about the violent incidents in the US.

(WION)

 
 
 
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Rajnath Singh said a statement would be forthcoming from Parliament next week

Home minister Rajnath Singh said today that alleged hate crimes against Indians in the US are being viewed seriously by India, and the government will make a statement on the matter next in Parliament, Times of India reports. At least two people of Indian-origin in recent weeks have been killed in the US in incidents of apparent hate crimes. On February 22, in Kansas, Olathe, a man shot three men--including Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who died--because he said he thought they were Iranian. Before firing, a witness heard the shooter say, "Get out of my country". On March 3, 43-year-old Harnish Patel was killed in South Carolina, when he was shot dead within ten minutes of closing up his store for the night. While it wasn't fatal, on March 5, a 39-year-old Sikh man, Deep Rai, was shot in the arm. Rai alleges he also heard the shooter say prior to firing, "Get out of my country!". Opposition members have raised the issue in the Lok Sabha, and the home minister said that the government has taken serious note. During Question Hour he said a statement from the government would be forthcoming from Parliament next week. Ananth Kumar, the Parliamentary affairs minister, also said the government was very concerned about the violent incidents in the US. (WION)

Hate crimes against Indians in US are being viewed seriously by the government: Home minister

A 43-year-old Indian-origin store owner, Harnish Patel, was shot dead outside his home on Thursday night in the US. 
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Indian-origin businessman shot dead outside his home in South Carolina <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USA?src=hash">#USA</a> <a href="https://t.co/LAYeN3XSCI">pic.twitter.com/LAYeN3XSCI</a>
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The incident took place after Harnish Patel closed his store and left for his home, 6 kilometres&nbsp;away in his minivan at 11:24 pm on Thursday, local news channel <a href="http://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/43-year-old-man-shot-killed-in-his-yard-lancaster-coroner-says/499276598">WSOC-TV reported</a>. Investigators believe he was confronted by his killer when he got out of the vehicle.

He had locked up his nearby store less than 10 minutes before he was found dead, police said.

Lancaster County police received calls at 11:33 pm after people called 911 to say that they heard screaming and gunshots on Craig Manor Road where the victim&#39;s house is situated, PTI reported.

Sheriff Barry Faile said the Indian ethnicity of Patel does not immediately appear to be a factor in the crime. &quot;I don&#39;t have any reason to believe that this was racially motivated,&quot; the Sheriff said.

Friends and customers were in shock and were visiting Patel&#39;s home to offer condolences to his family.

&quot;Who would do anything like this to him, as good as he is to everybody,&quot; Nicole Jones, a frequent customer at Patel&#39;s store, told WBTV.

Jones and other friends said Patel was not always worried about the bottom line of his business.

&quot;If you didn&#39;t have the money, he&#39;d let people have food,&quot; Jones said.

Mario Sadler, another customer and friend, said Patel had offered him jobs before, and did anything he could to help out in tough times.

&quot;He&#39;s watched my kids grow up, which is why it&#39;s painful. From day one he&#39;s been amazing, just awesome, and I just don&#39;t understand the sense behind it,&quot; Sadler said.

Dilipkumar Gajjar, a close friend of Patel and the owner the ABC store next to the Speedee Mart, said Patel came over to this country to better his family&#39;s life, and did that.

Harnish Patel&#39;s death comes after 32-year-old Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla was shot dead in Kansas in an apparent incident of hate crime. A 51-year-old US Navy veteran Adam Purinton opened fire at Srinivas Kuchibhotla and his friend Alok Madasani at a bar before yelling &quot;get out of my country&quot;.

The shooting last month sent shockwaves across the Indian-American community with people expressing concerns over their safety in an enviornment of xenophobia and racist rhetoric in the country.

(WION with inputs from PTI)

 
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Harnish Patel had closed his shop at night, and within ten minutes was fatally shot outside his house

A 43-year-old Indian-origin store owner, Harnish Patel, was shot dead outside his home on Thursday night in the US. Indian-origin businessman shot dead outside his home in South Carolina #USA pic.twitter.com/LAYeN3XSCI — ANI (@ANI_news) March 4, 2017 × The incident took place after Harnish Patel closed his store and left for his home, 6 kilometres away in his minivan at 11:24 pm on Thursday, local news channel WSOC-TV reported. Investigators believe he was confronted by his killer when he got out of the vehicle. He had locked up his nearby store less than 10 minutes before he was found dead, police said. Lancaster County police received calls at 11:33 pm after people called 911 to say that they heard screaming and gunshots on Craig Manor Road where the victim's house is situated, PTI reported. Sheriff Barry Faile said the Indian ethnicity of Patel does not immediately appear to be a factor in the crime. "I don't have any reason to believe that this was racially motivated," the Sheriff said. Friends and customers were in shock and were visiting Patel's home to offer condolences to his family. "Who would do anything like this to him, as good as he is to everybody," Nicole Jones, a frequent customer at Patel's store, told WBTV. Jones and other friends said Patel was not always worried about the bottom line of his business. "If you didn't have the money, he'd let people have food," Jones said. Mario Sadler, another customer and friend, said Patel had offered him jobs before, and did anything he could to help out in tough times. "He's watched my kids grow up, which is why it's painful. From day one he's been amazing, just awesome, and I just don't understand the sense behind it," Sadler said. Dilipkumar Gajjar, a close friend of Patel and the owner the ABC store next to the Speedee Mart, said Patel came over to this country to better his family's life, and did that. Harnish Patel's death comes after 32-year-old Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla was shot dead in Kansas in an apparent incident of hate crime. A 51-year-old US Navy veteran Adam Purinton opened fire at Srinivas Kuchibhotla and his friend Alok Madasani at a bar before yelling "get out of my country". The shooting last month sent shockwaves across the Indian-American community with people expressing concerns over their safety in an enviornment of xenophobia and racist rhetoric in the country. (WION with inputs from PTI)

Indian-origin businessman Harnish Patel shot dead in US

The wife of Srinivas Kuchibhotla who was shot dead in a Kansas bar had expressed doubts about staying in America but had been reassured by her husband that &quot;good things happen in America&quot;.&nbsp;

Speaking at a press conference organised by GPS maker Garmin, where Kuchibhotla worked, his widow Sunayana Dumala said reports of bias in the US make minorities afraid. And had led her to ask: &quot;Do we belong here?&quot;

There was no one to reassure her this time for on Wednesday night, her husband, 32, was shot dead by a US navy veteran who shouted &quot;Get out of my country&quot; and &quot;terrorist&quot; before opening fire.

Adam Purinton, 51, also injured a friend of Kuchibhotla&#39;s, Alok Madasani, 32, and American Ian Grillot, 24, who had tried to intervene.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Purinton has been charged with one count of premeditated murder and two counts of premeditated attempted murder.&nbsp;

At the press conference, Sunayana wondered what the US government will do to stop hate crimes.

So far, the answer for anybody who does not fit the conventional definition of &quot;American&quot; has been less than encouraging.

Most people draw a link between Donald Trump&#39;s ascension to the presidency and his divisive rhetoric about immigrants, Muslims, and African Americans and the increase in attacks on immigrants.&nbsp;

On Friday however, White House press secretary Sean Spicer said it would be &quot;absurd&quot; to draw a link between the Trump presidency and the attack that killed Srinivas.

&quot;Obviously, any loss of life is tragic, but I&#39;m not going to get into, like, to suggest that there&#39;s any correlation I think is a bit absurd. So I&#39;m not going to go any further than that,&quot; he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Purinton had fled on foot after the shooting and was captured five hours later at an Applebee&#39;s restaurant in&nbsp;Clinton, Missouri. Apparently, he told an employee there that he needed a place to hide because he had shot two middle eastern men.&nbsp;

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<h5>Sunayana wondered what the US government will do to stop hate crimes</h5>
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Consul General of India in Houston Anupam Ray is supervising the current situation and providing all possible help for the grieving family and the community in the Olathe area of Kansas.

&quot;Immediately when the incident occurred, Consulate rushed Deputy Consul R D Joshi and Vice Consul H Singh to Kansas to be with the family of Srinivas at this trying moment,&quot; Ray told PTI.

Ever since, they have been with the family of Srinivas and have assured Sunayna of all possible support and help at this grieving moment, he said.

Consul Joshi also met the shocked and frightened Indian community in Olathe and Alok Madasani injured in the shooting on Wednesday night.

Madasani is now stable and has been discharged from the hospital.

A third person, an American man identified as Ian Grillot, 24, who tried to intervene also received injuries in the firing at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe in Kansas City in the US state of Missouri.

A University of Kansas Hospital spokeswoman said he is in fair condition.

The incident evoked outrage from in the US and India with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj expressing shock over the incident.

&quot;I am shocked at the shooting incident in Kansas in which Srinivas Kuchibhotla has been killed. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved family,&quot; she said in a tweet yesterday.

The shooter, Adam Purinton, reportedly got into an argument with the victims in terms of racism, and shouted &quot;get out of my country&quot;, &quot;terrorist&quot; before shooting them.

He reportedly provoked them into an argument asking about their presence and work in his country, and how they are better than him.&nbsp;

According to police, Purinton left the bar after the argument and then returned with a gun and shot the three men.

He was arrested on Thursday, five hours after the incident and charged with one count of premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of attempted premeditated first-degree murder in Johnson County, Kansas, District Attorney Stephen Howe told reporters.

Howe, however, declined to elaborate on the motive of the incident, although local police said they were working with the FBI to investigate the case. The FBI was looking at whether it was a hate crime.

An FBI spokesperson said agents and police canvassed the area on Thursday and the investigation continued yesterday.

Some eye-witnesses have said the attack was racially motivated.

One bystander told the Kansas City Star that the gunman shouted &quot;get out of my country&quot; before shooting the Indian victims.

Grillot said in a recorded interview on Thursday that the bullet went through his right hand and into his chest, just missing a major artery but fracturing a vertebra in his neck.

The shooting incident comes at a time when hate crimes and acts of bigotry have risen notably in America after President Donald Trump came to power.

According to Garmin, Kuchibhotla and Madasani worked in the company&#39;s aviation systems.

&quot;Unfortunately, two associates on our Aviation Systems Engineering team, Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani, were shot. We are devastated to inform you that Srinivas passed away and Alok is currently recovering in the hospital,&quot; Garmin said.

Kuchibhotla and Madasani hailed from Hyderabad and Warangal respectively.

Kuchibhotla posted on LinkedIn in 2014 that he managed helicopter programmes. He had a master&#39;s degree in electrical and electronics engineering from the University of Texas at El Paso. He earned his bachelor&#39;s degree from the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University in Hyderabad.

A 2014 post on LinkedIn said Madasani was an aviation programme coordinator manager at Garmin.

(WION with inputs from PTI)

It was her husband who had reassured her, saying: 'Good things happen in America'

The wife of Srinivas Kuchibhotla who was shot dead in a Kansas bar had expressed doubts about staying in America but had been reassured by her husband that "good things happen in America". Speaking at a press conference organised by GPS maker Garmin, where Kuchibhotla worked, his widow Sunayana Dumala said reports of bias in the US make minorities afraid. And had led her to ask: "Do we belong here?" There was no one to reassure her this time for on Wednesday night, her husband, 32, was shot dead by a US navy veteran who shouted "Get out of my country" and "terrorist" before opening fire. Adam Purinton, 51, also injured a friend of Kuchibhotla's, Alok Madasani, 32, and American Ian Grillot, 24, who had tried to intervene. Purinton has been charged with one count of premeditated murder and two counts of premeditated attempted murder. At the press conference, Sunayana wondered what the US government will do to stop hate crimes. So far, the answer for anybody who does not fit the conventional definition of "American" has been less than encouraging. Most people draw a link between Donald Trump's ascension to the presidency and his divisive rhetoric about immigrants, Muslims, and African Americans and the increase in attacks on immigrants. On Friday however, White House press secretary Sean Spicer said it would be "absurd" to draw a link between the Trump presidency and the attack that killed Srinivas. "Obviously, any loss of life is tragic, but I'm not going to get into, like, to suggest that there's any correlation I think is a bit absurd. So I'm not going to go any further than that," he said. Purinton had fled on foot after the shooting and was captured five hours later at an Applebee's restaurant in Clinton, Missouri. Apparently, he told an employee there that he needed a place to hide because he had shot two middle eastern men. Sunayana wondered what the US government will do to stop hate crimes × Consul General of India in Houston Anupam Ray is supervising the current situation and providing all possible help for the grieving family and the community in the Olathe area of Kansas. "Immediately when the incident occurred, Consulate rushed Deputy Consul R D Joshi and Vice Consul H Singh to Kansas to be with the family of Srinivas at this trying moment," Ray told PTI. Ever since, they have been with the family of Srinivas and have assured Sunayna of all possible support and help at this grieving moment, he said. Consul Joshi also met the shocked and frightened Indian community in Olathe and Alok Madasani injured in the shooting on Wednesday night. Madasani is now stable and has been discharged from the hospital. A third person, an American man identified as Ian Grillot, 24, who tried to intervene also received injuries in the firing at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe in Kansas City in the US state of Missouri. A University of Kansas Hospital spokeswoman said he is in fair condition. The incident evoked outrage from in the US and India with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj expressing shock over the incident. "I am shocked at the shooting incident in Kansas in which Srinivas Kuchibhotla has been killed. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved family," she said in a tweet yesterday. The shooter, Adam Purinton, reportedly got into an argument with the victims in terms of racism, and shouted "get out of my country", "terrorist" before shooting them. He reportedly provoked them into an argument asking about their presence and work in his country, and how they are better than him. According to police, Purinton left the bar after the argument and then returned with a gun and shot the three men. He was arrested on Thursday, five hours after the incident and charged with one count of premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of attempted premeditated first-degree murder in Johnson County, Kansas, District Attorney Stephen Howe told reporters. Howe, however, declined to elaborate on the motive of the incident, although local police said they were working with the FBI to investigate the case. The FBI was looking at whether it was a hate crime. An FBI spokesperson said agents and police canvassed the area on Thursday and the investigation continued yesterday. Some eye-witnesses have said the attack was racially motivated. One bystander told the Kansas City Star that the gunman shouted "get out of my country" before shooting the Indian victims. Grillot said in a recorded interview on Thursday that the bullet went through his right hand and into his chest, just missing a major artery but fracturing a vertebra in his neck. The shooting incident comes at a time when hate crimes and acts of bigotry have risen notably in America after President Donald Trump came to power. According to Garmin, Kuchibhotla and Madasani worked in the company's aviation systems. "Unfortunately, two associates on our Aviation Systems Engineering team, Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani, were shot. We are devastated to inform you that Srinivas passed away and Alok is currently recovering in the hospital," Garmin said. Kuchibhotla and Madasani hailed from Hyderabad and Warangal respectively. Kuchibhotla posted on LinkedIn in 2014 that he managed helicopter programmes. He had a master's degree in electrical and electronics engineering from the University of Texas at El Paso. He earned his bachelor's degree from the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University in Hyderabad. A 2014 post on LinkedIn said Madasani was an aviation programme coordinator manager at Garmin. (WION with inputs from PTI)

'Do we belong here?' wife of Indian man shot dead in Kansas had asked