Indian killed in shooting at Arkansas supermarket

India West News Agency

LITTLE ROCK, AR – On June 21, a gunman opened fire at the Mad Butcher supermarket in Fordyce, a small town of 3,200 residents about 70 miles (110 kilometers) south of Little Rock, killing four people and wounding 10 others, including an Indian national and two police officers. The suspect was also injured in a shootout with police.

Among the victims was 32-year-old Dasari Gopikrishna from Andhra Pradesh. He had only moved to the US eight months ago and was working at the Mad Butcher supermarket. He suffered serious injuries while standing at the cash register and succumbed to his injuries in hospital the next day. Gopikrishna is survived by his wife and son.

The shooting resulted in four deaths and nine injuries when the gunman opened fire in the store and parking lot. CCTV footage showed the attacker entering the store, shooting Gopikrishna at the counter and then escaping after grabbing something from a shelf.

The Indian Consulate in Houston condoled Gopikrishna’s family in a post and stated that they are in touch with local relatives and are providing all possible assistance. “Deeply saddened to learn of the tragic demise of Indian national Gopi Krishna Dasari in a robbery shooting incident in Pleasant Grove, Dallas, Texas. We extend our sincere condolences to the family of the deceased,” the consulate wrote.

In India, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu also expressed grief over Gopikrishna’s death and assured that the state government would provide all necessary support to bring back his remains. (Input from Reuters)