US cops shoot dead Indian student Sharath Koppu's suspected killer
Kansas Police have shot dead the suspected killer of Indian student Sharath Koppu in the US, 10 days after the crime. Three cops were also injured in the encounter, but they are stable, authorities said. It was the first time police had laid eyes on the man after a week of searching. Koppu was shot dead by the yet-unnamed gunman on July 6.
Suspect apparently shot Koppu when he tried to run
According to witnesses, on July 6 evening, a man wearing a brown shirt with white stripes entered the restaurant at J's Fish and Chicken Market on Prospect Avenue where Koppu worked, pulled out a gun and demanded money. Workers and customers ducked, but Koppu suddenly bolted away from the gunman, towards the back of the store. That was when the suspect shot him.
Police searched for the suspect for a week
Within a day, police had released surveillance videos. They had been looking for him all week, but yesterday was "the first time we laid eyes on him," Kansas City Police Chief Rick Smith said. Two undercover cops found him and started following him in a car, but at a motel in east Kansas City, he shot them and fled with another person in a vehicle.
Suspect shot dead after several rounds of gunfire exchange
Police soon managed to find him again. Another round of exchange of gunfire started and one more cop was injured, but it eventually ended with his killing, police said. His name hasn't been released by police.
Happy justice was served, disheartened about injured cops: Indian group
The Indian Association of Kansas City hailed the Kansas police for following the case thoroughly, adding "there is some closure" with the gunman's death. "We're happy to hear that the suspect was caught and justice has been served to Koppu. We're equally disheartened hearing about the three officers who were shot in pursuit. Our thoughts and prayers are with them," said Jagdeesh Subramanian, president of the group.
Koppu was laid to rest in his native place, Warangal
Koppu, hailing from Warangal in Telangana, had completed his studies from Hyderabad's Vasavi College of Engineering and was working as a software engineer in the city. In January, he moved to the US for his Masters. Last week, his last rites were performed in Warangal, and his body was laid to rest in Telangana.
