NEW YORK - In a shocking incident that has left the South Asian community in Richmond Hill, New York, reeling, a 33-year-old Indian-origin man, Karamjit Multani, shot and killed his younger brother Vipanpal and injured their mother before taking his own life. The tragic events unfolded after what appeared to be a normal evening, revealing deep-seated family tensions and financial struggles.
Background:
It was a nice, quiet evening in the Multani household. The family had gathered for a simple pizza dinner, the kind of evening that brings comfort and closeness. Little did they know that this peaceful night would end in unimaginable tragedy.
As the family settled in, 33-year-old Karamjit Multani suddenly left the room and returned with a gun. Without warning, he entered his brother Vipanpal's room and opened fire. The house that had been filled with the aroma of pizza was now filled with the sound of gunshots.
Karamjit's 27-year-old brother, Vipanpal, was shot multiple times, his desperate pleas for help heard by a neighbor who rushed over, only to hold him as he took his last breaths.
Their mother, 52, tried to intervene, suffering a bullet wound to her stomach in the process. Amidst the chaos, their father, Bhupinder Multani, fled to a neighbor's house, his mind racing with confusion and horror.
Karamjit then fled the scene, running down the street where he ended his life with a single gunshot to his head. It was a harrowing end to a night that started so innocently.
5 Shocking Facts That Shook Desi South Asian Community in Tristate and in Entire U.S.:
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Hidden Firearm: The family had no idea Karamjit possessed a gun, making the attack all the more shocking.
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Business Rivalry and Tension: The family patriarch had gifted both sons money and property to start their own businesses. Vipanpal Multani started a deli in Valley Stream that was a success, while his murderous brother attempted to open a grocery store in Indiana that failed miserably, creating tension over perceived failures and snide comments.
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Secret Manifesto: A detailed message from Karamjit showed that he had been feeling very tense and inadequate for a long time. This message, which he left before the tragic events, explained that he felt inadequate and deeply troubled. He described ongoing issues and family conflicts, including feeling ridiculed and pressured by his family. These feelings built up over time, leading to the tragic outburst.
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Father's Ultimatum: The night before the shooting, the father told Karamjit he wanted him out of the house, prompting Karamjit to send his wife and three kids back to Indiana. An argument broke out during dinner on Saturday, leading everyone to go their separate ways before the gunshots shattered the night.
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Stunned Community: Neighbors described the family as "super quiet," expressing disbelief at the violence. "They looked nice," said Zah, a neighbor. Gina Fernandez, another neighbor, noted that Karamjit and Vipanpal appeared to be close, often seen playing outside with Karamjit's three kids. "We never heard the brothers fighting. They were always together," she added. Family and friends were seen coming and going from the house in a Rolls Royce SUV, shocked by the tragedy.
Richmond Hill, a neighborhood rich in Asian heritage and home to many Punjabi Sikh families, is now grappling with the aftermath of this tragic incident.
Karamjit's sudden outburst of violence has left friends and family in disbelief. Jaspreet Singh, the brother-in-law, remembered him as a cheerful person, adding to the confusion over what could have led to such a horrific act.
The incident has shattered not only the Multani family but also the close-knit South Asian community in Richmond Hill. Friends and neighbors who once saw the brothers as inseparable are now mourning their loss and trying to understand the deep-rooted issues that led to this tragic end.
As the community comes to terms with this tragedy, the Multani family's story serves as a poignant reminder of the hidden struggles that can exist beneath the surface of seemingly normal lives.