An Indian engineer was allegedly shot dead and two others were left seriously injured at a crowded bar in Kansas in the United States on Wednesday.
The deceased, identified as 32-year-old Srinivas Kuchibhotla from Hyderabad in India, was with his friends when they reportedly had an altercation with a US Navy veteran.
Srinivas’ friend Alok Madasani and another customer at the bar, 24-year-old Ian Grillot who intervened were injured in the incident.
51-year-old Adam Purinton reportedly said “get out of my country”, before discharging his gun at the three victims in the carpark of the bar.
He was later arrested and charged with a first-degree murder and two counts of attempted first-degree murders, reported.
Gilrot later told police why he decided to intervene in the matter.
“It wasn’t right, and I didn’t want the gentleman to potentially go after somebody else,” he said.
Indian Consular staff rushed to Kansas to assist the shooting victims.
Both the Indian victims worked as Aviation Systems Engineers with Garmin.
The accused who fled the crime scene after shooting the victims was arrested from another bar after his calls were intercepted by the police.
"After killing Srinivas Kuchibhotla he wounded his colleague Alok Madasani. He then fired at a third man, identified as Ian Grillot, who had tried to intervene," a police officer said.
"The accused had an altercation with Srinivas and his friends inside the bar’s lounge around 7.15 pm which later spilled out into the parking lot. The situation worsened after he pulled out his gun and killed him and left two others seriously injured," he added.
"We're saddened that two Garmin associates were involved in last night's (Wednesday night) incident, and we express our condolences to the family and friends of our co-workers involved. Garmin will have grievance counsellors on-site and available for its associates today and tomorrow," Garmin said in a statement.
