A 21-year-old Indian international student Dharampreet Singh Jasser was shot dead by four robbers, including an Indian-origin man, at a grocery store in California.
Singh was on duty at a grocery store in California’s Fresno city on Tuesday night when the robbers attacked the store, local daily reported.
Jasser hid behind the counter but apparently got noticed by a robber and was shot.
The robbers decamped with cash and goods.
The incident came to light when a customer who had entered the shop to buy some goods on early Wednesday morning noticed Jasser’s body on the floor and called police.
Jasser was a student of accounting and had gone to the US from Punjab around three years ago on a student visa.
Police arrested a 22-year-old Indian-origin man Armitraj Singh Athwal, who is alleged to be part of the gang that looted the gas station and fired multiple shots one of which hit Jasser.
Athwal has been charged with murder and robbery.
“Dharampreet was a completely innocent victim, just doing his job, when he was senselessly killed during this robbery,” Madera Sheriff Jay Varney said.
He does not appear to have a lengthy criminal history, Varney said. Athwal’s bail is set at $1 million.
Detectives continue to search for other suspects and any further information related to this case, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh expressed shock and requested External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to take up the matter with US authorities.
“Shocked at the gruesome killing of Nawanshahr’s Dharampreet Singh in California. @SushmaSwaraj ji, request to you to take up the issue at highest levels with US authorities to ensure justice for the family,” Singh tweeted.
