HT Exclusive: Anshul Kuncha's friends remember him after shocking murder, ‘He dreamed of achieving great things’
Engineering batchmates and friends of Anshul Kuncha remembered him after the 28-year-old man from Telangana, India, was shot dead in Philadelphia while delivering pizza to a house. According to local authorities, the pizza was ordered to a house that was supposed to be vacant. Anshul’s family has alleged that he was lured into a trap.
Anshul, who worked weekends on pizza delivery, was shot in the back of the head and killed around 12:30 am on Friday, June 5. He moved to the US four years ago and was employed at a multinational corporation. He reportedly delivered pizza on the weekends to earn some extra money, his family told the media.
‘He dreamed of achieving great things in life’
Ansgul completed a Bachelor of Technology (BTech) in Chemical Engineering from Chaitanya Bharathi Institute of Technology (CBIT) in India. One of his CBIT batchmates, Junaid Qureshi, told HindustanTimes.com in a conversation that he and Anshul’s other friends are “deeply shocked and disturbed by this tragic news.”
“Right now, our main focus is on finding justice for Anshul and ensuring his remains are returned home to India as soon as possible. We stand firmly with his family during this incredibly difficult time,” Junaid added.
Mouli, one of Anshul’s friends, described him as “a fun-loving, jovial, and positive person who always spread happiness around him.”
“He believed in himself and dreamed of achieving great things in life,” Mouli added.
Avanindra, another friend, described Anshul as “bright and talented” and “an excellent sportsperson who was known for his friendly nature.”
Anshul was reportedly associated with CBIT’s soccer team.
“Anshul was always greeting people around him warmly,” Avanindra further said.
Also Read | Anshul Kuncha family: Indian man shot dead in Philadelphia, sister calls out ‘fake pizza delivery trap’
He added, “We, his friends, stand with his family in this difficult time and seek justice. We urge the concerned authorities to conduct a thorough investigation, and identify and apprehend the suspect(s) at the earliest. We also request the Government of India, including the Ministry of External Affairs, to coordinate with the relevant foreign authorities to expedite the return of Anshul’s mortal remains to India so that his family can perform his last rites with dignity.”
Junaid remembered Anshul in an emotional LinkedIn post too, saying his life was lost in a “senseless act of violence.”
“It brings a very painful reality to light. So many of us leave our homes and families, bringing our hard work and talent to contribute to global progress. Knowing that anyone can face this kind of vulnerability while just trying to build a future is deeply unsettling,” he wrote.
“Hearing his sister’s heartbroken plea for families back home is a massive wake-up call. It highlights a critical, urgent need for stronger social security and robust safety frameworks to protect international students and professionals living abroad,” Junaid added.
Junaid expressed his wish to see “real, proactive measures to ensure that the global talent helping the global progress is actually safe and protected.”
“Rest in peace, Anshul. You deserved a long, bright future. Sending all my thoughts and strength to your family,” he concluded.
Anshul’s sister said after his murder that he never wanted to go to the US but the family sent him anyway.
“He didn’t want to go to the US, but we sent him…and (now) look what he ended up in. This is a message to all the parents who are sending their children to the US, do not send your kids to the US,” she told PTI.
What happened to Anshul Kuncha?
Police are now offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to arrest in Anshul’s murder. The shooting took place at the Raymond Rosen Homes on the 2300 block of Edgley Street, authorities said.
Anshul was found shot in the head just after he completed a delivery to a vacant unit in the area. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Surveillance cameras operated by the Philadelphia Housing Authority did not capture the shooting, but revealed that two people wearing dark clothing followed Anshul as he walked to the boxes. One of the people following him appeared to be carrying a dark backpack.
Chief Inspector Scott Small with the Philadelphia Police Department said that Kuncha was “lying on the ground unresponsive, bleeding heavily with a gunshot wound to his head.”
“All three spent shell casings were just a few inches away from where this victim was lying on the ground in the courtyard, which is an indication that the shooter or shooters were standing very, very close to the victim since the spent shell casings, all three, were just inches away from the victim,” Small said, according to NBC News.
No arrests have been made yet. However, Small said that they have the phone number from the caller who ordered the pizzas which Anshul went to deliver.
Anshul’s vehicle was found near the scene, with a pizza warmer still inside. Cops discovered three untouched pizza boxes and a bag inside the vacant apartment, which indicated that he successfully delivered the items before being shot outside.”