Philadelphia police have announced a reward of $20,000 for information leading to an arrest in the killing of Anshul Kuncha, a 28-year-old Indian man from Telangana who was shot dead while delivering a pizza to a vacant property in North Philadelphia.Kuncha was killed shortly after 12.30 am on Friday after responding to a fake delivery order. He was delivering three pizzas to a vacant apartment at the Raymond Rosen Homes housing complex on Edgley Street when he was shot in the back of the head.Officers found him unresponsive and bleeding heavily at the scene. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead at around 12.43 am.No arrests have beem made so far. However, police said they have obtained the phone number used to place the pizza order and are working to find the caller.According to Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small, surveillance footage showed two people dressed in dark clothing following Kuncha as he walked from his vehicle towards the property. Three spent shell casings were recovered just inches from where he was found, suggesting the gunman was standing very close to him when the shots were fired.The pizzas were later found untouched inside the vacant apartment. Police have not identified a motive, and family members say nothing was stolen from him.Kuncha hailed from Hyderabad and had been living in US for nearly four years. After completing his BTech in Hyderabad, he moved to the US to pursue a Master’s degree. He later secured employment with KWC Company and worked part-time as a pizza delivery driver on weekends to earn additional income.His family believes he was deliberately lured to the location.”It was a trap, meant solely to kill him,” his sister Tanvi said.She added: “He was told to deliver pizza in an abandoned area, but we later learned 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.”According to the family, Kuncha had previously been robbed in US, losing his chain, phone and cash, but had never faced such a serious attack before. Two masked men carrying backpacks were seen near the area around the time of the shooting.Tanvi appealed for the quick return of her brother’s body to India and called for justice.”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.In an emotional message, she also urged parents to think carefully before 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 didn’t want to go either, but he did, and look where it got him. Do not send your children to the US,” she said.The Consulate General of India in New York expressed condolences to the family and said it is in contact with local authorities.”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.
