Hyderabad in shock over killing of local techie in USA

Authorities in Hyderabad were making arrangements to bring the body of software engineer from the city from Kansas in the United States by the end of this week. The news that the 25-year-old Sharath Koppu, who was shot dead by an unidentified gunman in a restaurant, left his family back home in Hyderabad completely shattered. The residents of the city are in shock over the killing.

The tragedy struck the family at a time when the family was keenly waiting for his next visit on Dussehra. "What is left for us in this world to live", wailed Koppu Rammohan as the State Minister for Information Technology K Taraka Rama Rao visited the family's home.

According to reports the gunman fired five bullets on Sharath's back even as he was trying to escape from the place and collapsed on the ground. Later he succumbed to his wounds. The killer, identified as an Afro-American had brandished a gun at the restaurant to demand money from the customers. While others took cover a frightened Sharath tried to escape and got killed.

Kansas police have announced a reward of 10,000 dollars for information about the killer. Sharath's home in Ameerpet area of Hyderabad was enveloped in gloom and the only sound was of the wailing of his mother Malathi and other family members. There was a stream of visitors including many prominent politicians including local MP Bandaru Dattatreya at the home to console the family.

"He spoke to me only one hour before the incident", his father was telling the visitors repeatedly.

Sharath who studied engineering in Vasavi College in Hyderabad had gone to pursue Masters course in University of Missouri and later joined a company in Kansas.

Regional Passport Officer in Hyderabad E Vishnuvardhan Reddy and other staff members were constantly in touch with the Indian officials in America as well as the officials at the US Consulate in Hyderabad. Officials said that they were trying to ensure that the body reaches Hyderabad by the end of this week.

Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj also spoke to victim's father and offered to help if any member of the family wishes to go to the US. "We will bring the mortal remains at the earliest", she tweeted. K Taraka Rama Rao also made a similar offer.

Shocked members of Indian community were making their own efforts to help the family and raised  50,000 dollars within hours through GoFundMe to help sending the body back home.