A former UAE resident was recently shot dead in a petrol station robbery in the United States.
Neil Kumar, a 30-year-old Indian national, grew up in the city of Sharjah in the UAE. He was pursuing his master's degree in computer science at Troy University in the state of Alabama — where the shooting took place. Last Wednesday, Kumar opened up the station early morning, where he had been working part-time. Shortly after 6 a.m., just four minutes after opening the station, a masked gunman shot him at point-blank range before robbing cash from the station's mini-market.
The incident was captured on CCTV and showed just how fast the shooting took place.
"After reviewing the camera system we saw…a male person entered the store with their handgun, pointed at the clerk and went behind the counter,” said Moses Davenport, chief of police in the city of Brundidge, according to The National.
Kumar was loved in his community
One relative told Gulf News that the funeral will take place in Alabama on Monday shortly after noon. He also said that the parents boarded a flight from Dubai to Boston on Saturday, meeting two of their daughters before heading to Alabama.
"He was such a nice person, and always ready to help, anyone who ever met and made contact with him has been left weeping," Ramanan Vengali told Gulf News.
Vengali also explained that Kumar's father has resided in the UAE for the past 52 years. He had planned to move back to India next year after marrying off his late son.
Kumar was the youngest child and only son of his parents. He is survived by two older sisters, both of whom reside in the U.S.
"A 4,000 dollar reward"
A $4,000 reward is currently being offered to any individual who can provide information that would lead to the arrest of the gunman, according to reporter Randi Hildreth, a general assignment reporter for WSFA 12 News.
In the meantime, a note was placed on the door of the store where Kumar was killed explaining it will be closed till Sunday (July 28).