Racist Guns Down Indian Men Because He Allegedly Thought They Were Middle Eastern, One Dies

A Kansas man who allegedly shouted "get out of my country" at two Indian men before shooting them at a bar was charged with first-degree murder Thursday after one of his victims died.

Adam W. Purinton, 51, reportedly shot Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, and Alok Madasani, 32—two Garmin engineers from India—as well as 24-year-old Ian Grillot, who tried to intervene.

Kuchibhotla later died of his injuries, according to the Kansas City Star.

Purinton has also been charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder in the shootings of Madasani and Grillot.

Madasani was released from the hospital Thursday, while Grillot is in stable condition and continues to recover.

Federal law enforcement officials said at a press conference that they are investigating the incident with local police to determine whether it was a hate crime.

At least one bystander claims to have heard Purinton — a Navy veteran, IT specialist, former pilot, and air traffic controller — yell "get out of my country" before opening fire on Kuchibhotla and Madasani at Austins Bar & Grill in Olathe, Kansas.

Purinton fired his last round at Grillot, who tried to jump up to pursue the shooter. The bullet went through Grillot's hand and into his chest.

After fleeing the scene on foot, Purinton reportedly told a bartender at an Applebee’s in nearby Clinton, Missouri, that he needed a place to hide because he had just killed two Middle Eastern men, the Star reported.

Purinton was later arrested after the bartender called police. He was not armed at the time of his arrest.

After he was booked into the Henry County Jail, Purinton appeared before a judge, who waived his right to fight extradition. His bond was set at $2 million.

"It was a tragic and senseless act of violence," Olathe Police Chief Steven Menke said at a press conference.

Grillot told the Star that he considers Madasani his new best friend and hopes they can spend time together after he recovers. 

"I don’t think it’s going to be at the bar, though," Grillot added.