Ian Grillot, the 24-year-old American who took a bullet for an Indian, has been honoured as ‘A True American Hero’ by the Indian-American community at the 14th annual gala of India House Houston. The community has also raised USD100,000 to help him buy a house in his hometown Kansas.
Grillot was injured while trying to save Srinivas Kuchibhotla from a Navy veteran targeting Indians at a bar in Olathe, Kansas last month. Though Kuchibhotla was killed and his colleague Alok Madasani was critically injured in the shooting, Grillot did his utmost to chase down the shooter, and was shot himself.
“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.
India House raised the amount as part of an initiative supported by the Consul General of India in Houston Dr Anupam Rayn, it said.
India’s ambassador to the US Navtej Sarna handed over the cheque to Ian.
“I don’t know if I could have lived with myself if I would 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 honoured 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 centre built by Americans of Indian origin in the Greater Houston area.
