Indian student shot dead in US was not on duty, had stayed back to help a friend
NEW DELHI: 22-year-old Sai Teja Nukarapu, student from Telangana’s Khammam, was shot dead at a gas station in Chicago on the morning of September 29.
According to BRS MLC Madhusudan Thatha, who met with the grieving family, Sai Teja was not on duty at the time of the shooting. Instead, he had agreed to stay behind after completing his shift to help a friend who needed to leave temporarily to offer Namaz.
“Deeply grieved at this news. Our Consulate is rendering all possible assistance to the family,” EAM S Jaishankar posted on X.
Sai Teja, who had moved to the United States in June to pursue a Master’s in Science at Concordia University, was working part-time at the station when the incident occurred.
Family members confirmed his death on September 30 after they were notified that he had succumbed to bullet wounds following a robbery attempt.
The assailants, appearing to be involved in a robbery, demanded cash from the young student. Despite complying with their demands and handing over the money, Teja was shot by the assailants.
Teja’s parents, Koteshwar Rao and Vani Nukarapu, live in Khammam. His elder sister had also moved to the US for studies and now works there.
The authorities are in communication with the US government to expedite the return of Sai Teja’s body after the post-mortem and official formalities are completed.
