Unidentified people shot dead an Indian student from Telangana in the US state of Wisconsin during a suspected robbery attempt.
The student was identified as 27-year-old Praveen Kumar Gampa.
The attack reportedly occurred close to Gampa’s residence.
He was studying for an MS in data science at the University of Wisconsin.
“He was working part-time at a local store and was due to complete his studies in two months,” G Gayathri, the victim’s sister, told The Times of India.
Gampa Raghavulu, Praveen Kumar Gampa’s father, said he received a call over WhatsApp at 2.55 am.
After missing the call, he said he left a voice message asking his son to call back.
“We did not receive a reply. When we called his number, someone answered and said they had found my son’s phone,” Raghavulu told the newspaper.
“They asked for his date of birth, which seemed unusual,” he said.
He said the victim’s friends informed them about the incident.
“He was hit by a bullet and died,” Raghavulu said.
G Gayathri said the incident left the family ‘devastated’.
She said the family is struggling to get information about the shooting.
Indian Consulate reacts
The Indian Consulate in Chicago expressed sadness over the death of the student.
“We are saddened by the untimely death of Praveen Kumar Gampa, a Post-graduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. The Consulate is in contact with Praveen’s family and the University, helping them with all possible support. Our heartfelt condolences and prayers are with his family and friends of the departed,” the Consulate wrote on X.
Several attacks on Indian students were reported from various corners of the US last year.
