Indian man lured to death in Philadelphia

POLICE are offering a reward of $20,000 for information leading to arrest in the killing of a 28-year-old Indian man in Philadelphia, shot dead after delivering pizza to a vacant home.

Anshul Kuncha, originally from Hyderabad, was shot in the back of the head and killed around 12:30 am last Friday (5) while making a pizza delivery to a vacant property in North Philadelphia.

The Consulate General of India in New York said it was helping Kuncha’s family. “We are deeply saddened by the untimely demise of 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 last Saturday (6).

Police are offering a $20,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case, NBC Philadelphia said.

Authorities said the fatal incident took place at the Raymond Rosen Homes on the 2300 block of Edgley Street. Kuncha was found shot in the head and was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Surveillance cameras operated by the Philadelphia Housing Authority recorded some moments of the incident.

While the shooting itself wasn’t caught on camera, footage shows Kuncha walking with the boxes, while being followed by two people wearing dark clothing, authorities said.

One person appeared to be carrying a dark backpack.

An investigation revealed Kuncha “was lured” to the vacant apartment to deliver an order of three pizzas, the report said.

Chief Inspector Scott Small with the Philadelphia Police Department said Kuncha was “lying on the ground unresponsive, bleeding heavily with a gunshot wound to his head.”

“All three spent shell casings were just a few inches away from where this victim was lying on the ground in the courtyard, which is an indication the shooter or shooters were standing very, very close to the victim since the spent shell casings, all three, were just inches away from the victim,” Small was quoted as saying by the NBC report.

No arrests have yet been made; however, Small said they have the phone number from the caller who ordered the pizzas, which Kuncha delivered.

Investigators are working with the pizza shop in question.

Police found three untouched pizza boxes and a bag inside the vacant apartment, signalling that Kuncha “successfully delivered the items before being shot outside”. In Hyderabad, Kuncha’s family has sought justice and appealed to the Ministry of External Affairs for the return of his body.