New Delhi | Sept 08, 2025

A tragic incident has come to light from California, where a 26-year-old man from Haryana was shot dead after he objected to someone urinating in public. The victim, identified as Kapil, hailed from Barah Kalan village in Jind district and had been working as a security guard in the United States.

According to family members, the incident occurred outside the store where Kapil was on duty. When he stopped a man from urinating on the road near the premises, an argument broke out. In a sudden escalation, the accused pulled out a gun and fired at him, killing him on the spot.

Suresh Kumar Gautam, the head of Kapil’s village, confirmed the details to PTI and said the entire community was in shock. He urged both the Centre and the Haryana government to intervene and help bring Kapil’s body back to his family in India.

Kapil’s journey to the US had not been easy. Reports suggest he had migrated nearly three years ago through the so-called “donkey route,” a dangerous and illegal pathway involving risky crossings. He is said to have traveled through Panama’s jungles and later scaled the Mexico border wall before reaching the US. Though initially arrested after entering, he was released following legal procedures and had since been trying to build a life there. His family reportedly spent nearly ₹45 lakh on the migration process.

Back home, Kapil leaves behind grieving parents and two sisters. His father, a small farmer with limited landholding, is devastated by the loss. The family is preparing to approach the district administration for assistance in repatriating his remains.

This case adds to a growing list of violent crimes involving members of the Indian diaspora in the US. In May, an Indian-origin man working in a shop was shot dead during an attempted robbery by an armed customer. Despite following the attacker’s instructions, he was killed after handing over the cash.

Similarly, in March, a 24-year-old Indian woman and her 56-year-old father were fatally shot at a Virginia departmental store. Reports said the accused had gone there to buy liquor late at night, and after being told the store was closed, opened fire in anger.

The recurring incidents have once again raised concerns about the safety of immigrant workers and students in the US. Families in India, meanwhile, continue to bear the heavy burden of these tragedies.