Indian student shot in US was off duty, stayed back to help a friend

NEW DELHI: 22 years Sai Teja Nukarapustudent from 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 off duty at the time of the shooting. Instead, he had agreed to stay behind after finishing his shift to help a friend who had to leave temporarily to offer Namaz.
Sai Teja, who had moved to the United States in June to pursue a master’s degree in science at Concordia Universitywas working part-time at the station when the incident occurred.
Family members confirmed his death on September 30 after being told he had succumbed to bullet wounds following an attempted robbery.
The attackers, appearing to be involved in a robbery, demanded cash from the young student. Despite complying with their demands and handing over the money, Teja was shot dead by the assailants.
Teja’s parents Koteshwar Rao and Vani Nukarapu live in Khammam. His elder sister had also moved to the US for her studies and is now working there.
Authorities are in communication with the US government to expedite the return of Sai Teja’s body after post-mortem and official formalities are completed.