New York shooting: What we know so far about Indian national’s killing as consulate offers family support
Representational image. (Image courtesy: Wikimedia)
New Delhi: The fatal shooting of 27-year-old Indian national Gurdeep Singh in Brooklyn has left his family seeking justice and the return of his body to India, while New York police continue to search for the unidentified gunman. The case has also drawn a response from the Indian Consulate in New York and the North American Punjabi Association (Napa), which has urged investigators to establish the motive behind the killing.
According to ABC7 New York, Singh was shot shortly before 10 pm on August 21 near Crescent Street and Stanley Avenue in East New York. The incident was preceded by an altercation between two drivers, police said, and surveillance video from a nearby residence showed a confrontation before gunfire erupted.
Singh was found by officers who responded to a 911 call with a gunshot wound to the chest. He was taken to a hospital but was later pronounced dead. The suspected shooter fled the area in a vehicle.
CBS News reported that surveillance video captured a confrontation between two individuals shortly before gunfire was heard. Anthony Santos, who works in the vicinity, said he heard several shots and initially thought the sound was fireworks, before realising something was wrong when emergency vehicles arrived at the scene.
The incident has also raised concern among residents of the East New York neighbourhood. ABC7 New York spoke to residents who said the shooting had left them shaken and concerned about safety in the neighbourhood.
According to NDTV, Singh had travelled to the United States after taking a loan, with the intention of earning money and securing a better future for his parents in India. His father, Pyara Lal, said his son had faced significant difficulties after arriving in the US but continued working extensively to support the family.
Singh had reportedly been living in the United States for around 13 years and was a resident of Queens. Reports said he was working as a pizza delivery worker when he was killed.
His family, devastated by the death, has appealed to the Indian government to help bring Singh’s body back to India. They have also urged US authorities to arrest the accused and ensure strict punishment after the investigation establishes responsibility.
Reports said the incident may have followed a road-rage altercation, while LiveMint reported that the shooting was believed to have occurred during an attempted robbery. The exact motive has not yet been confirmed as the investigation continues.
Indian Consulate extends assistance
The consulate general of India in New York on August 24 expressed condolences over Singh’s death and said it was in contact with his family.
In a post on X, the consulate said it was “deeply saddened” by the death of the Indian national and confirmed that it was extending all possible assistance to his family. The message was also tagged to the external ministry, the embassy of India in the US.
The diplomatic mission’s intervention comes as Singh’s family works to arrange the repatriation of his remains and seeks accountability in the case.
Napa calls for investigation
The North American Punjabi Association (Napa) expressed grief over Singh’s death on Sunday, with executive director Satnam Singh Chahal calling for the killing to be investigated thoroughly. Speaking to PTI, Chahal said the death of a young Punjabi or Sikh person has consequences far beyond the individual victim, as families are left devastated. He said repeated violence should not become something the community accepts as normal.
Napa also urged investigators to determine precisely why Singh was killed and cautioned against drawing conclusions before authorities complete their investigation.
