Hyderabad: A 26-year-old person from Hyderabad, Koyyada Ravi Teja, was shot dead in Washington D.C., amid heightened security a day before the swearing-in ceremony of US President Donald Trump.
Teja, a resident of Chaitanyapuri’s Green Hills Colony, had embarked on his American journey in March 2022. He had recently completed his Masters at the Sacred Heart University in Connecticut, and was searching for a full-time job, while working as a food delivery agent to support himself.
His relatives told Deccan Chronicle that Teja was attacked by unidentified assailants after he had completed a delivery.
“We still don’t know what exactly had happened. His roommate informed us that he had received a call from Teja’s boss, asking why he had not reported for work. The roommate had replied that Teja had left sometime back. Together, they tracked him down only to find that he was killed”, said a relative of Teja, who could not hold back his tears.
Teja’s family came to know of the news early Monday morning. His father K. Chandramouli was inconsolable as he recounted the devastating call he received at 4.30 am.
“He had celebrated his birthday last month. I am not able to speak anything else... I sent him alive but his body will come now. No parent should undergo such a catastrophic trauma”, he said before breaking down.
The atmosphere at Green Hills Colony was filled with sadness and untold grief. Relatives and loved ones held back tears as Teja’s mother Suvarna called his name out, asking him to come back.
His sister Shreya, who lives in Chicago, reached the hospital where the body was kept. His relatives said that they are working towards repatriating his body for the final rites. Union Minister Bandi Sanjay called Teja’s family members and consoled the grieving parents. He assured them he would provide all possible assistance.
Meanwhile, the local police in Washington D.C. have launched an investigation, piecing together the moments that had led to the gruesome act. Reports indicated that he was shot to death at a gas station in Washington Ave after completing a delivery.
A source in Washington D.C. said that police have increased security measures in the city, to make sure that situations do not escalate during Trump's swearing-in ceremony.