Dallas, Texas: In a tragic and shocking series of events, a 21-year-old man, Davonta Mathis, has been arrested for the murder of Dasari Gopikrishna, an Indian national, during a robbery at a convenience store in Pleasant Grove, Dallas. The incident, which occurred on June 21, has sent shockwaves through the South Asian community.
Dasari Gopikrishna, a 32-year-old who had only been in the US for eight months, was working at the convenience store when he was fatally shot by Mathis. Originally from Yajali village in the Bapatla district of Andhra Pradesh, India, Gopikrishna's life was cut short in a senseless act of violence.
Details of the Incident:
- Location: Pleasant Grove, Dallas
- Date: June 21
- Victim: Dasari Gopikrishna, 32, Indian national
- Suspect: Davonta Mathis, 21
Mathis walked into the store, approached the counter, and shot Gopikrishna multiple times, including in the head, before fleeing with stolen items. Gopikrishna was rushed to the hospital in critical condition but later succumbed to his injuries.
Initially charged with robbery, Mathis's charges were elevated to capital murder following Gopikrishna's death. His bond has been set at $7.5 million. Sgt. Curtis Phillip of the Mesquite Police described Mathis's behavior as "very bizarre," underscoring the senselessness of the crime.
Further Investigation Reveals Another Tragedy: Sgt. Curtis Phillip described Mathis's behavior as "very bizarre". As the investigation unfolded, police discovered that Mathis was also involved in another fatal shooting and was also a South Asian origin person. On the night of June 19, Mathis shot and killed Muhammad Hussain, a 60-year-old man from Carrollton, at a business in Mesquite, Texas.
Surveillance footage and a subsequent police pursuit led to Mathis's arrest and additional charges of capital murder and evading arrest.
- Location: Mesquite, Texas
- Date: June 19
- Victim: Muhammad Hussain, 60, from Carrollton
The Indian consulate in Houston is working closely with Gopikrishna's family to repatriate his body. The Telugu Association of North America (TANA) and family friends are assisting in this process.
All necessary formalities, including police autopsies, have been completed, and efforts are being made to transport Gopikrishna's body to India by Tuesday.
The South Asian community in Dallas and surrounding areas is deeply affected by these events. Gopikrishna is survived by his wife and son, who are now left to cope with this devastating loss.
These tragic incidents highlight the vulnerability of immigrant workers in the US, particularly those from South Asian communities, who often work in convenience stores. The senseless violence underscores the need for enhanced security and support for the communities.