Hyderabad Man Shot Dead During Pizza Delivery in US: Family Alleges Trap, Seeks Justice for Anshul Kuncha

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The tragic death of a young Hyderabad man in the United States has left his family shattered and raised fresh concerns about the safety of Indian students and professionals living abroad. Twenty-eight-year-old Anshul Kuncha, who had moved to the US four years ago to pursue higher studies and build a better future, was allegedly shot dead while delivering pizzas in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

According to information received by his family in Gundlapochampally near Hyderabad, the incident took place during the intervening night of June 5 and June 6. Anshul, who worked for a multinational company in North Philadelphia, had reportedly taken up pizza delivery assignments on weekends to earn additional income.

What was expected to be a routine delivery turned into a horrifying tragedy.

Speaking to reporters, Anshul’s sister Tanvi described the family’s anguish and alleged that her brother had been lured into a deadly trap. She said the family was informed that Anshul was shot three times in the head and left on the roadside.

According to her, nothing was stolen from him after the attack, leading the family to believe that robbery was not the motive. She claimed that Anshul had been directed to deliver a pizza to an abandoned location and that the order may have been a decoy designed to lure him into a vulnerable situation.

“It was a trap. It was to kill him. I don’t know what they gained out of it or what intentions they had. They took my brother and killed him,” she said while fighting back tears.

The family says early information and media reports from the United States suggest that two unidentified gunmen wearing black masks and carrying backpacks may have been involved in the shooting. However, authorities have not yet publicly confirmed the motive behind the attack, and investigations remain ongoing.

Anshul’s death has sparked an emotional response not only from his relatives but also from members of the Indian community following the case. His family is now focused on bringing his mortal remains back to India while also demanding a thorough investigation and swift justice.

Tanvi appealed directly to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Indian authorities for assistance. She said the family has been informed that the body is expected to be released on Monday and urged officials to expedite the process so they can perform his final rites at home.

“Just give us our brother back. That’s all I want. And I do want justice,” she said.

The tragedy is particularly painful for the family because Anshul had previously experienced a frightening encounter in the US. According to his sister, he had earlier been robbed by a group of men who allegedly took his phone, cash, and chain. Despite that incident, he continued working hard and remained committed to achieving his goals.

Family members remember him as a cheerful, caring, and ambitious young man who was deeply loved by those around him. They say he had built a life through determination and hard work, balancing his professional career with additional weekend jobs to support himself financially.

In an emotional message that reflected the family’s grief, Tanvi said her brother had initially been reluctant to move to the United States. She stated that the family had encouraged him to pursue opportunities abroad, but his death has left them questioning that decision.

“He didn’t want to go to the US, but we sent him. Look what he ended up in,” she said, adding a heartfelt appeal to other parents considering sending their children overseas.

The Consulate General of India in New York expressed condolences over the incident and confirmed that it is in contact with the family. In a statement posted on social media, the Consulate said it was deeply saddened by the untimely death of Anshul Kuncha and assured that all possible assistance was being extended to his relatives during this difficult period.

As investigators work to piece together the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting, many questions remain unanswered. Was the delivery order deliberately placed to target Anshul? Was he randomly selected, or was there another motive behind the attack? Authorities are expected to examine surveillance footage, delivery records, and witness accounts as part of the investigation.

For Anshul’s family, however, those answers cannot erase the loss of a son, brother, and friend whose life ended far from home. Their immediate hope is to bring him back to Hyderabad, while their long-term demand is clear: justice for a young man whose pursuit of opportunity ended in a senseless act of violence.

The case has once again drawn attention to concerns over gun violence in the United States and the risks faced by delivery workers who often travel alone, late at night, and into unfamiliar locations. As the investigation continues, Anshul Kuncha’s death stands as a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly an ordinary work shift can turn into a devastating tragedy.