A 28-year-old Indian man from Telangana was shot dead in Philadelphia after allegedly being lured to a vacant property through a fake pizza delivery order, his family has claimed.
The victim, Anshul Kuncha, was reportedly shot in the back of the head after reaching the location to deliver pizzas.
His sister Tanvi described the incident as a “trap” meant only to kill him and made an emotional appeal to parents not to send their children to the United States.
“It was a trap, meant solely to kill him,” Tanvi told the media. “He was told to deliver pizza in an abandoned area, but we later came to know that it was a decoy. There was no one there. We do not know what they gained or what their intentions were. They took my brother and killed him.”
In an emotional statement, she urged parents to reconsider sending their children abroad.
“My brother was a very loving and joyful person. He had no real reason to go to the US, but we sent him anyway. He did not want to go either, but he went, and look where it got him. Do not send your children to the US,” she said.
Tanvi also appealed to the authorities to ensure the swift return of her brother’s body to India.
“My brother 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,” she said.
According to her, officials had informed the family that the body could be handed over on Monday.
She urged the authorities to speed up the process so the family could perform the final rites without delay.
She also sought justice for her brother, saying the family has no specific suspicion against anyone but wants those responsible to be identified and punished.
Anshul Kuncha, 28, was employed with a multinational company and worked as a pizza delivery driver on weekends to earn extra income.
The shooting took place just after 12.30 am EDT on Friday at the Raymond Rosen Homes housing complex on Edgley Street in North Philadelphia.
According to Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small, Kuncha was lured to a vacant apartment to deliver an order of three pizzas. Officers found him bleeding heavily and unresponsive at the scene.
He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead at around 12.43 am EDT.
Police recovered three spent shell casings just inches away from where Kuncha was found, indicating that the shooter was standing very close to him.
Investigators said surveillance video showed two people in dark clothing following the delivery driver as he walked from his vehicle. The food order was found untouched inside the vacant apartment.
Nothing was stolen from Kuncha, raising questions about the motive behind the killing.
According to Anshul’s family, he had earlier been the victim of a robbery in the US, during which his chain, phone and cash were stolen. However, he had never faced a life-threatening attack before.
A reward of $20,000 has been announced for information leading to an arrest and conviction. No arrests have been made so far, but investigators have the phone number from which the pizza order was placed and are trying to determine whether the caller was connected to the incident.
Consulate Responds
The Consulate General of India in New York has acknowledged the incident and said it is in touch with local authorities and the bereaved family.
“We are deeply saddened by the untimely demise of Mr Anshul Kuncha, an Indian national in Philadelphia, PA. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences to his family during this difficult time. The Consulate is in touch with Anshul’s family and is extending all possible assistance,” it said in a post on X.
The tragic killing has shocked the Telugu community in the United States and Telangana. Relatives, friends and residents of Gundlapochampally are mourning the death of the young man.
