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Pizza delivery ambush
Anshul Kuncha, a 28-year-old Indian man from Telangana, was shot and killed in Philadelphia after delivering pizza to a vacant address at Raymond Rosen Homes on the 2300 block of Edgley Street.
“Image Credit: NDTV New York (PTI): Police are offering a USD 20,000 reward for information leading to arrest in the killing of a 28-year-old Indian man in Philadelphia who was shot dead after delivering pizza to a vacant home”
Police said Kuncha was shot shortly after arriving to complete a delivery late at night, and the English Varthabharati report said he was killed around 12:30 am Friday when he was making the pizza delivery.
The Philadelphia Housing Authority surveillance cameras recorded moments of the incident, showing Kuncha walking with the boxes while being followed by two people wearing dark clothing, and one appeared to be carrying a dark backpack.
Chief Inspector Scott Small with the Philadelphia Police Department said Kuncha was "lying on the ground unresponsive, bleeding heavily with a gunshot wound to his head," and the Hindustan Times report said his sister Tanvi called the delivery a "trap" intended to "kill him."
Reward, surveillance, no arrests
Investigators are offering a USD 20,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction, while the English Varthabharati report said no arrests have yet been made in the case.
The report said Small told NBC Philadelphia that "All three spent shell casings were just a few inches away from where this victim was lying," describing it as an indication the shooter or shooters were standing very close.
The Hindustan Times report said cameras from the Philadelphia Housing Authority captured Kuncha walking with the pizza while being followed by two individuals dressed in dark attire and carrying a backpack, and it said the family alleged there was no theft involved.
Tanvi told reporters that "He was told to deliver pizza in an abandoned area, but we later learned it was a decoy," and she urged authorities to expedite the return of Kuncha’s remains to India for last rites.
Family seeks repatriation
The Consulate General of India in New York expressed condolences and said it was extending all possible assistance, and the English Varthabharati report said it was in touch with Kuncha’s family.
“A 28-year-old Indian man from Telangana, who was working part-time as a pizza delivery executive in the United States, was shot dead when he went to a location in Philadelphia to deliver pizza - in what is alleged to be a fake order”
The Hindustan Times report said Tanvi urged authorities to expedite the return of her brother’s remains and said the family was notified the body would be available for handover on Monday.
The Straits Times report said US authorities were expected to hand over the body on June 8, while the Hindustan Times report said the family’s only request was that the body be brought back to India as early as possible.
In Telangana, Kuncha’s family and community members continued to press for justice as police investigated whether the delivery request was used to lure him, with the English Varthabharati report saying police have the phone number from the caller who ordered the pizzas and are working to trace it.
