Indian Boy Sharath Koppula Shot Dead In Kansas

First Srinivas Kutchibotla and now Sharath Koppula. Both these lads from the Indian state of Telangana had gone to the US to pursue their dreams, but destiny had other things planned for them. 

Just last year software engineer Srinivas Kutchibotla was killed and last Friday, Sharath Koppula was shot dead in a restaurant – J’s Fish and Chicken Market near 54th and Prospect. in Missouri’s Kansas City. Sharath was a 26-year-old student of the University of Missouri-Kansas City and worked at the same restaurant where he was murdered. He had moved to the US to study M.S. earlier this year.

The police have confirmed that this was an incident of armed robbery and the hunt for the suspect is on. Sharath was shot around 7 pm, and the cops who arrived at the scene described him lying in a pool of blood. 

Sharath was working at the restaurant when he was shot in the back while he was trying to run away from the robber to save himself. The police rushed him to the hospital where he was declared brought dead.

Subsequently, the police released a video in which the suspect is seen wearing a brown and white striped shirt and have also requested to call on 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477 in case anyone has any information about the incident. Additionally, a reward of $10,000 is also being offered by the police for anyone who leads them to the shooter.  

Looking for this suspect in the robbery & murder of 25-y.o. Sharath Kopuu at 5412 Prospect last night. Sharath was from India and is a student at UMKC. $10,000 reward for info leading to charges in this (& every KCMO murder) https://t.co/qUxkcItwXf

— kcpolice (@kcpolice) July 7, 2018

Meanwhile, in India, Sharath’s family contacted Telangana’s NRI minister KT Rama Rao, seeking their help in getting Sharath’s body back to India for final ceremonies. Indian consulate officials in Chicago have promised all their help.

The Indian Minister of External Affairs, Sushma Swaraj tweeted:

Kansas incident – My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. We will follow this up with the Police and provide all assistance to the family. @IndiainChicago @IndianEmbassyUS⁩ ⁦@NavtejSarna⁩

— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 8, 2018

Sharath’s cousin, Raghu Chowdavaram, has set up a crowd-funding campaign to send financial assistance for Sharath’s family in Warangal and by Sunday, it had accumulated over $45,000.

Our prayers are with Sharath’s family.