Indian American Lawmakers strongly condemned the killing of Indian engineer by an American navy veteran in an apparent hate crime in Olathe, Kansas.

On Feb 22 Feb. 22 at Austin’s Bar and Grill in Olathe, 51-year-old Navy veteran and former air traffic controller Adam Purinton said “get out of my country” before opening fire on the two men, both engineers at Garmin Ltd., killing 32-year-old Srinivas Kuchibhotla and injuring Alok Madasani and Ian Grillot.

“As details emerge about the nature of this crime, it is disturbing for all Americans that a potential hate crime could happen here. Racism and xenophobia have no place in America, and I have full confidence that the investigating agencies will determine whether this crime was motivated by prejudice. As a nation of immigrants, it is not who we are to attack someone based on where they come from or what they look like. This senseless attack on these young men is a tragedy and my thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families”, said Congressman Ami Bera (CA-7).

“My condolences go out to the families of the men involved in this senseless incident of violence in Kansas City. Any act of violence fueled by hatred and xenophobia and prejudice cannot be tolerated. I have faith in local and federal law enforcement to justly investigate this shooting as a hate crime”, said Rep. Ro Khanna (CA-17).

“My thoughts are with the victims and families shaken by the shooting in Kansas. Senseless acts of violence have no place in our country. I’m heartbroken by this tragedy,” said Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal.

“We can’t let hatred win,” said Indian-American Senator from California Kamala Harris. “Extremely saddened to hear the news out of Kansas. My sympathies go out to the victims and their families,” the Democratic Senator said in a tweet.

Calling this as a senseless act of violence in Kansas City, Congressman Ro Khanna remarked, “Any act of violence fuelled by hatred and xenophobia and prejudice cannot be tolerated. I have faith in local and federal law enforcement to justly investigate this shooting as a hate crime.”

“This was an attack not only on the victims, but on the sense of security of Indians, Indian Americans and millions of other people of color across the nation,” Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., said in a statement.

US-India Political Action Committee has also strongly condemned the killing, calling it “heinous” and “barbaric”. Expressing shock over the killing, USINPAC Chairman Sanjay Puri said, “We strongly condemn the killing of Srinivas Kuchibhotla. We have reached out the Department of Justice and asked for quick action on these and other such hate crimes around the country. This incident needs to be treated as a hate crime. We continue to monitor this situation along with other racially motivated incidents around the country.”

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