The Indian student shot dead in the US was not on duty, he stayed to help a friend

NEW DELHI: 22-year-old Sai Teja Nukarapustudent of Khammam in Telangana, was shot dead at a gas station in Chicago on the morning of September 29.
According to BRS MLC Madhusudan Thatha, who met the bereaved family, Sai Teja was not on duty at the time of the shooting. Instead, he agreed to stay after his shift ended to help a friend who had to leave temporarily to offer Namaz.
“We are deeply saddened by this news. Our consulate is providing all possible assistance to the family,” EAM S Jaishankar wrote on X.

Sai Teja, who moved to the United States in June to pursue a master’s degree in science at the University of Concordia Universityhe was working at the station part-time at the time of the incident.
Family members confirmed his death on September 30 after they were notified that he had suffered gunshot wounds in an attempted robbery.
The attackers, probably involved in the robbery, demanded money from the young student. Despite complying with their demands and handing over the money, Teja was shot dead by the attackers.
Teja’s parents, Koteshwar Rao and Vani Nukarapu, live in Khammam. His older sister also moved to the United States for college and currently works there.
Authorities are in contact with the US government to expedite the return of Sai Teja’s body once the autopsy is completed and official formalities are completed.