Washington sources have reported that Adam Purinton, 51, was charged with first degree murder in the February shooting at the Austins Bar & Grill in Olathe that killed 32 year old Srinivas Kuchibhotla. Meanwhile he also faces two counts of attempted first-degree murder for wounding another Indian Alok Madasani and American man Ian Grillot.
Further the Kansas City Star reported that Purinton had waived his preliminary hearing and the not guilty plea was entered on his behalf. His next hearing is scheduled for May 8. Purinton also faces hate crime charges. Meanwhile according to prosecutors, Purinton targeted Kuchibhotla and another Indian man because of their race or ethnicity. He reportedly got into an argument with the victims and hurled racial slurs saying, “Get out of my country” and “terrorist” before shooting them. The third man was shot when he tried to help the two victims.
Immediately Purinton left the bar after the shooting
and was arrested some 70 miles away in Clinton, Missouri, at an Applebee’s
restaurant after allegedly telling a bartender he shot the victims and the
incident led to several vigils for the victims and the Indian American
community in Olathe as well as throughout the country.
click and follow Indiaherald WhatsApp channel