Hyderabad techie Srinivas Kuchibhotla would’ve celebrated his 33rd birthday on Thursday, but he was killed in cold blood by an American navy veteran in a bar in Kansas last month.
Srinivas’ wife Sunayana Dumala posted a heartfelt message to him on Facebook.
Srinivas was shot dead on 22 February by Adam Purinton, who allegedly yelled “terrorist” and “get out of my country” as he opened fire. Srinivas’ colleague Alok Madasani was also injured in the attack.
Shooter Faces Federal Charges, Possibly Execution
Purinton faces one count of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder in connection with the shooting.
The FBI is also helping gather evidence in the shooting because Kansas does not have a hate crime statute. If their agents can prove Purinton’s alleged actions constitute a hate crime, he could face federal charges that could potentially carry the death penalty.
During his court appearance that lasted less than two minutes, Purinton was seen wearing what was described by a sheriff’s department spokesman as a “safety smock,” assigned to suspects who said something during jail processing that suggested they might do harm to themselves.
Johnson County sheriff's Master Deputy Rick Howell would not disclose the comment by Purinton that raised concern, but said the suspect would wear the smock until mental health professionals say otherwise.
Andy Berthelsen, a neighbor of Purinton's for the past 15 years, told the AP that Purinton had become “a drunken mess” after his father's death about 18 months ago. He said he doesn't believe the shooting stemmed from hatred, and that it likely resulted from Purinton's physical and mental deterioration.
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