NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Philadelphia, PA, June 7, 2026 — A 28-year-old Indian national from Telangana, identified as Anshul Kuncha, was shot and killed in Philadelphia after responding to what his family says was a fake pizza delivery order intended to lure him to a deserted location. The incident has sparked concern among the Indian and Telugu communities in the United States and India.
According to reports, Kuncha had moved to the United States about four years ago after completing his B.Tech degree in Hyderabad. He earned a master’s degree in the U.S. and was employed full-time with a multinational company. To supplement his income, he reportedly worked part-time as a pizza delivery driver on weekends.
The shooting occurred when Kuncha received a delivery request to an isolated area in Philadelphia. When he arrived at the location, an unidentified assailant allegedly opened fire, shooting him multiple times before fleeing. Family members say nothing was stolen from him, leading them to believe the delivery order was a deliberate setup.
Speaking to Indian media, Kuncha’s sister, Tanvi, described the incident as a “trap” and said the family was informed that the delivery request had been a decoy. She appealed to authorities to expedite the repatriation of her brother’s body to India and called for those responsible to be brought to justice.
The family said Kuncha had previously been the victim of a robbery in the United States, during which his phone, cash, and chain were stolen. However, they said he had never before faced a life-threatening attack. Reports cited by the family indicate that two masked individuals were seen in the area around the time of the shooting.
The incident has drawn a response from the Consulate General of India in New York, which said it was deeply saddened by Kuncha’s death and is in contact with local authorities and the family while providing assistance.
Relatives and residents of Kuncha’s hometown of Gundlapochampally in Telangana have been mourning the loss of the young professional, whose death has renewed concerns about the safety of Indian students and workers living abroad. Philadelphia police have not yet announced any arrests in the case, and the investigation remains ongoing.
