Indian origin man killed in Arkansas in mass shooting incident

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A 32-year-old man of Indian origin, Dasari Gopikrishna, who sustained critical injuries when a gunman fired indiscriminately on June 21, 2024, at the Mad Butcher grocery store in Fordyce, Arkansas, succumbed to his injuries the following day at the hospital.

In addition to Gopikrishna, who worked at the grocery store, three others were also killed, and nine people including two police officers were injured during the incident.

“The suspect’s motives are unclear,” said Mike Hagar, the Secretary of Public Safety and Director of Arkansas state police, in a press conference on June 23^rd adding, “The actions of the suspect are most cowardly and pathetic.”

The shooter, Forty-four-year Travis Eugene Posey, from New Edinburg, who was injured during the crossfire with police, is being treated at the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Police said he will face four counts of capital murder.

Gopikrishna, who arrived in the US eight months ago, is survived by his wife and son, who live in Bapatla, Andhra Pradesh. The Andhra Pradesh government has announced that it will assist the victim’s family in bringing his body back home.

Expressing deep sorrow over Gopikrishna’s death, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu tweeted on X. “Deeply saddened to learn that a young Dasari Gopikrishna from Bapatla has succumbed to injuries sustained in a shooting incident in USA,” Naidu’s tweet said, “I offer my heartfelt condolences to his family and assure them that the GoAP will extend every possible support to help bring him home. We firmly stand by the family and pray for them to find strength through this difficult time.”

Politician from Bharatiya Janata Party P. Muralidhar Rao Tweeted, “I am deeply saddened to hear about the tragic loss of Dasari Gopikrishna from Bapatla due to a shooting incident in Texas, USA. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family. Rest assured, the Government of Andhra Pradesh will provide all necessary support to bring him back home. We stand firmly with the family during this tough time and pray that they find the strength to cope with their loss.@ncbn”12:04 PM · Jun 23, 2024

The Indian Consulate in Houston also tweeted on X. The tweet said, “Deeply saddened to learn about the tragic demise of Indian National Mr. Gopi Krishna Dasari, in a robbery shooting incident” adding that the consulate is in “touch with a local family member and extending all possible assistance including through Indian Associations.”

Houchens Food Group, which owns Fordyce’s Mad Butcher grocery store, has issued a statement following the incident.

“We are deeply saddened by the shooting incident that occurred Friday at the Fordyce Mad Butcher grocery store, which is owned and operated by Houchens Food Group. We’re thankful for the rapid response from local authorities who apprehended the suspect and secured the area,” the statement noted. “Corporate and store officials are fully cooperating with law enforcement during the investigation. The store will remain closed until the investigation concludes. Please keep our employees, customers, and the Fordyce community in your thoughts and prayers.”