After the shootings, Chopra allegedly fled the scene
A US-based Punjabi student has been charged with murdering his parents and grandmother after allegedly opening fire inside the family’s Texas home.
Gaurav Chopra is accused of killing his father, Sweeta Ram, mother, Kamlesh Rani, and grandmother, Minder Kaur, at their home in the Tuscany Village subdivision on the night of June 17.
The motive behind the alleged killings remains unclear.
According to investigators, Chopra, a student at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, allegedly began shooting at family members inside the house without warning.
Police said he also allegedly targeted his elder brother, Sajan, who narrowly escaped the attack.
After the shootings, Chopra allegedly fled the scene, prompting a large-scale police search.
Investigators said the pursuit ended when Chopra crashed his vehicle. During the chase, his speeding car struck another vehicle, sending two people to hospital.
Police arrested Chopra at the scene and recovered a handgun from his vehicle. Detectives believe it was the weapon used in the alleged murders.
Authorities also alleged the firearm malfunctioned before Chopra was taken into custody.
Chopra appeared in court on June 18 and was charged with capital murder of multiple persons, attempted murder and evading arrest.
He is being held without bail after no bond was granted on the capital murder charges.
Hidalgo County Sheriff J.E. Guerra said Chopra “had killed his family and had just left the residence driving a white Lexus”.
He added: “At the same time, another Alton police officer arrived at the residence and discovered two deceased individuals on the second floor of the home.”
The killings have sent shockwaves through Lakpur village in Punjab’s Nawanshahr district, where the family traces its roots.
Relatives said they first learnt about the tragedy through acquaintances living in the United States.
Residents described the deaths as unimaginable and said the village was struggling to come to terms with what had happened.
One villager said: “Sweeta Ram had been living in the United States for nearly three decades and had built a successful business in the Palmview area. He was also known for his community and social welfare work.”
Makhan Singh, a cousin of the deceased who lives in Lakpur, said the family had returned to Punjab just four to five months ago.
He added: “Everything seemed normal during their visit. Nobody could have imagined such a tragedy.”
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