An Indian national named Anshul Kuncha, a 28-year-old man from Telangana who had moved to the US in 2023 seeking better opportunities and worked part-time as a pizza delivery driver for Pete's Pizza, was fatally shot in the back of the head in North Philadelphia after completing a delivery to a vacant apartment. Police found three shell casings near the victim, indicating the shooter was very close, and are investigating a phone number used for the order, with surveillance footage showing Kuncha being followed by two individuals after the delivery, though it remains unclear if robbery was the motive or if the incident was connected to previous violence against Pete's Pizza delivery drivers.

An Indian national named Anshul Kuncha, a 28-year-old man from Telangana who had moved to the US in 2023 seeking better opportunities and worked part-time as a pizza delivery driver for Pete's Pizza, was fatally shot in the back of the head in North Philadelphia after completing a delivery to a vacant apartment. Police found three shell casings near the victim, indicating the shooter was very close, and are investigating a phone number used for the order, with surveillance footage showing Kuncha being followed by two individuals after the delivery, though it remains unclear if robbery was the motive or if the incident was connected to previous violence against Pete's Pizza delivery drivers.

An Indian national named Anshul Kuncha, a 28-year-old man from Telangana who had moved to the US in 2023 seeking better opportunities and worked part-time as a pizza delivery driver for Pete's Pizza, was fatally shot in the back of the head in North Philadelphia after completing a delivery to a vacant apartment. Police found three shell casings near the victim, indicating the shooter was very close, and are investigating a phone number used for the order, with surveillance footage showing Kuncha being followed by two individuals after the delivery, though it remains unclear if robbery was the motive or if the incident was connected to previous violence against Pete's Pizza delivery drivers.

A 28-year-old Indian man was shot dead in North Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, after he delivered pizza boxes to a housing society.

Anshal Kuncha, who hailed from Telangana, was shot in the back of the head on Friday after 12:30 pm local time, right after he completed a delivery of three pizzas.

The address he delivered to was reportedly found to be a vacant unit at Raymond Rosen Homes along the 2300 block of Edgley Street.

Police officials have found a phone number through which the order was made and are working on tracing it.

The officer responded to the reports of shots being fired and took the victim to a nearby Temple University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at about 12:43 am.

Anshul Kuncha, son of Kuncha Srinivas and Neelimala, hailed from Gundlapochampally village in the Malkajgiri district in Medchal, Telangana.

He left for the US in 2023 seeking better opportunities.

He lived in North Philadelphia and worked for a company called KWC. On weekends, he worked as a deliveryman for Pete’s Pizza to earn an extra income.

His village mourned his death. Anshul’s sister has requested the central and state governments to repatriate his body as soon as possible.

"My brother was a loving and joyful person. He had been in the US for nearly four years. We came to know that he was trapped through a fake pizza delivery request and was shot dead. Our only request is that his body be brought back to India as early as possible," she said to NDTV.

According to Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small, three shell casings were found inches away from the crime scene.

"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 that 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," said Small.

The food order was found untouched inside the apartment along with a bag.

It is also unknown if the victim was robbed.

Philadelphia Housing Authority cameras caught the driver walking with the pizza order and being followed by two people wearing dark clothing and carrying a backpack, CBS News reported.

Police are searching for more surveillance footage of the incident.

The Consulate General of India in New York expressed their condolences on Anshul’s death.

"We are deeply saddened by the untimely demise of Mr 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," the embassy said.

It is not known whether the murder was part of a robbery or some enmity. Police have registered a case, and an investigation is underway.

Kuncha is the second Pete’s Pizza delivery driver to be killed in recent years.

In 2024, a 29-year-old man was gunned down in front of the store.

TAGS