Fake pizza order, fatal ambush: Telangana man shot dead in US

The victim, identified as Anshul Kuncha, had been living in Philadelphia for nearly four years. While employed with a multinational company, he also worked part-time as a pizza delivery executive on weekends to supplement his income.

According to his family, Anshul received a delivery request on Saturday night and headed to the designated address.

However, upon arriving at the location, he was allegedly ambushed and shot multiple times in the head by an unidentified gunman.

The attacker fled the scene, and authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.

Family alleges delivery request was a decoy

Relatives claim the order was fake and intended solely to lure Anshul to an isolated area.

"He was told to deliver pizza in an abandoned area, but we later learned it was a decoy. There was no one there. It was a trap, meant solely to kill him," his sister Tanvi said.

She said the family remains unaware of the motive behind the attack and is struggling to understand why Anshul was targeted.

According to the family, none of Anshul's belongings were stolen, raising further questions about the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

No signs of robbery

Family members said reports indicated that two masked men carrying backpacks were seen near the area around the time of the attack.

The absence of theft has led relatives to believe that robbery was not the motive.

Anshul had previously been robbed while living in the US, losing his phone, chain and cash in an earlier incident. However, the family said he had never faced a life-threatening attack before.

Family seeks swift repatriation of body

The grieving family has appealed to authorities to expedite the return of Anshul's body to India so that his final rites can be performed without delay.

"My brother was a loving and joyful person. He had been in the US for nearly four years. We came to know that he was trapped through a fake pizza delivery request and was shot dead. Our only request is that his body be brought back to India as early as possible," Tanvi was quoted as saying by NDTV. 

She said officials had informed the family that the body could be handed over on Monday, but urged authorities to speed up the process.

The family has also demanded justice and called for those responsible for the killing to be identified and punished.

Sister issues emotional appeal

Speaking to reporters, Tanvi expressed anguish over her brother's death and urged parents to think carefully before sending their children abroad.

"My brother was a very loving and joyful person. He did not even want to go to the US initially, but we encouraged him. Today we have lost him. I do not want any other family to experience this pain," she said.

Indian Consulate extends assistance

The Consulate General of India in New York acknowledged the incident and said it was coordinating with local authorities and the bereaved family.

"We are deeply saddened by the untimely demise of Mr Anshul Kuncha, an Indian national in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with his family during this difficult time. The Consulate is in touch with the family and is extending all possible assistance," the mission said in a post on social media.

Shock and grief in Telangana

The killing has sent shockwaves through the Telugu community in the United States and Anshul's hometown of Gundlapochampally in Telangana.

Relatives, friends and local residents have been mourning the loss of the young professional, whose life was cut short during what appeared to be a routine delivery assignment.

Police have not yet announced any arrests, and investigations into the motive behind the shooting remain ongoing.