South Africa tour of India 2019
Indian National Killed in Dallas Convenience Store Robbery; Suspect Arrested
Police in Texas have apprehended 21-year-old Davonta Mathis in connection with the fatal shooting of 32-year-old Indian national Dasari Gopikrishna during a robbery at a convenience store in Pleasant Grove, Dallas. Gopikrishna, who had only been in the US for eight months, tragically lost his life on June 21 in the incident.
Mathis allegedly entered the store, approached the counter, and shot Gopikrishna multiple times, including in the head, before stealing items and fleeing the scene. Gopikrishna was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries shortly after.
Initially charged with robbery, Mathis now faces capital murder charges following Gopikrishna's death, with a bond set at $7.5 million. Mathis is also implicated in another fatal shooting in Waco city the previous day.
Efforts are underway by the Indian consulate, Telugu Association of North America (TANA), and family friends to repatriate Gopikrishna's body to his hometown in Andhra Pradesh. The consulate has completed all necessary formalities and aims to transport the body at the earliest.
The incident has deeply affected the Indian community in Dallas, where Gopikrishna is survived by his wife and son.
