A 19-year-old university student has been charged with multiple counts of murder following a tragic incident that claimed the lives of his parents and grandmother in Texas.
Authorities allege that Gaurav Chopra fatally shot three family members inside their home in Alton, Texas, before fleeing the scene. He has been charged with capital murder involving multiple victims, attempted murder, and evading arrest.
According to investigators, local police were alerted after a 911 call reported that a family member had been shot and the suspect had left the residence. Authorities allege that Chopra also fired at his brother during the incident, but the brother was not injured.
The victims have been identified as 56-year-old Sweeta Ram, 46-year-old Kamlesh Rani, and 73-year-old Minder Kaur. Officials confirmed that the deceased were Chopra’s father, mother, and grandmother. Investigators stated that all three died from gunshot injuries.
Law enforcement officials described Sweeta Ram as a respected local business owner known within the community for helping others. News of the tragedy has shocked residents and members of the local South Asian community, many of whom knew the family.
Following the incident, police launched a search for the suspect. Authorities say Chopra was arrested after a pursuit ended in a collision near Alton. Two occupants of another vehicle involved in the crash were transported to hospital with injuries. Investigators recovered a handgun at the scene of the arrest.
During a court appearance, Chopra was ordered held without bond on the capital murder charges. Bond on the evading arrest charge was set at $250,000.
Investigators have not released a motive for the alleged killings. Officials stated that the suspect has made statements to authorities, but they declined to provide details regarding those comments or the ongoing investigation.
Police also indicated that there had been no previous calls for service or reported domestic disturbances at the residence prior to the incident.
Authorities confirmed that Chopra is a student at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. The case continues to be investigated as law enforcement officials work to determine what led to the devastating events.
The tragedy has left family members, friends, and the wider community searching for answers while mourning the loss of three generations of one family in a single incident.