Indian student found dead in Wisconsin in possible armed robbery

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India’s Consulate in Chicago expressed sadness over the death of Praveen Kumar Gampa, a post-graduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

News reports in Indian media quote friends and family members saying Gampa, who hailed from Keshampet village, Shadnagar Rangareddy District, was shot dead during an armed robbery.

In a post on X March 5, 2025, the Consulate said it was in touch with the family of the student but details about the cause of his death were not spelt out.

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“We are saddened by the untimely death of Praveen Kumar Gampa, a postgraduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. The Consulate is in contact with Praveen’s family and the University, helping them with all possible support. Our heartfelt condolences and prayers are with his family and friends of the departed.”

Raghavulu, the father of Praveen Kumar, speaking to ANI, sad, “He went to the US in August 2023. Recently, he came in December and went back in January. On February 21, he paid the entire college fees by clearing the 11 lakhs due. While going from here, he stated that he doesn’t need any money from here as he will get a loan amount.”

The bereaved father also said about his lost son, “He speaks with his mother every day on call and sometimes calls me also. Yesterday at 2:55 am, I got a voice call, but I couldn’t attend it. Later, when we left a voice message, we did not get any reply. At around 7 am, when we called, the police lifted the call and said that they had found the phone. They asked for date of birth, we thought some fraud might have happened. We informed his friends. When his friends called, they were asked to reach that location. When they reached the police station, the police showed them a picture, and they confirmed his identity. We appeal to all the parents not to send their children abroad; let them study here. My son was doing a job here after his B.Tech. He wanted to do a master’s. He requested his mother, who told me to send him. I appeal all the parents not to send their children to America.”

His mother told ANI, “We appeal to the government to bring back my son’s body at the earliest. I talked to my son the day before he was killed. He told me that everything was good and he was going to his room. After that, I don’t know anything. That was the last time he talked to me. He told me everything was good and there was no problem.”

The death has drawn some sharp reactions from Indian leaders as has the X post of the Consulate in Chicago.

Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K. Kavitha said the death of the student from Telangana was “very unfortunate” and urged the Telangana government and called on authorities to get the body home at the earliest.

“Well, it’s very unfortunate. I heard about that news, and I truly demand that the Telangana government, and I request the Central government, to quickly process and get the body home, because parents here must be suffering. My prayers are with the family. My prayers are with the students who are there. They must be frightened and afraid. Please stay brave. Indian embassy, Indian government, I’m sure, will come to your rescue,” Kavitha said.

Bharatiya Janata Party leader  N. Ramchander Rao told ANI, “The unfortunate death of a Telangana student who was working as a part-timer in a store in the US is an unfortunate incident wherein the US government also should try to protect at least the legal migrants who are now staying in the U.S.”

“The incident has shown the racial discrimination still going on in the country of USA, wherein we are trying to avoid the racial discrimination. But, unfortunately, the racial discrimination is being increased in spite of Indians’ contribution to the growth of the US economy,” Rao said, adding, “I think the government of the USA should take stern steps against such criminals who are trying to attack basically Asians, Indians, and that too Telugu people. This is not an isolated incident. Several incidents have occurred earlier also. So, the U.S. government should definitely take firm steps to protect the Indian students who are legally staying in the USA,” he added.

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