India condemns Haryana student Vivek Saini's 'terrifying' murder in US
The Indian Consulate in Atlanta strongly condemned what it called the"brutal" murder of a 25-year-old Indian student inside a store in Georgia's Lithonia city and said it was "deeply anguished" by the incident.
Vivek Saini, 25, who hailed from Haryana, had gone to the US two years ago after completing his B Tech in Computer Science from Chandigarh University.
The Consulate General of India in Atlanta on Monday (local time) strongly condemned the attack on a 25-year-old Indian student who was hammered to death by a homeless man in a store. The Consulate said it was "deeply anguished" by the "brutal" incident and asserted it provided consular assistance in sending the victim's mortal remains back to India.
Vivek Saini, who recently completed his MBA in the US, was killed by a homeless drug addict, Julian Faulkner, inside a store in Georgia's Lithonia city. Saini had been helping the man for the past couple of days before the fatal attack.
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Taking to X, the Consulate General of India in Atlanta said it noted that US authorities arrested the accused and were investigating the case.
"We are deeply anguished by the terrifying, brutal and heinous incident that led to the death of an Indian national and a student, Vivek Saini and condemn the attack in the strongest terms. It is understood that the US authorities have arrested the accused and are investigating the case," the post said.
It added that the Consulate got in touch with Saini's family immediately after the incident, provided all consular assistance in sending the mortal remains back to India and remained in touch with the family.
VIVEK SAINI HAMMERED TO DEATH
The horrifying incident was caught on camera when the assailant, Faulkner, mercilessly struck Saini nearly 50 times on the head with a hammer.
Saini worked part-time at the store as a clerk and other employees told the police they were sheltering Faulkner for almost two days. The employees gave him chips, a coke, water and a jacket to keep himself warm, WSB-TV reported on January 28.
The employees told the news channel that they did not ask Faulkner to get out of the store because they knew it was cold outside. However, on January 16, Saini asked Faulkner to leave, or he would call the police.
According to the police, Faulkner attacked Saini with a hammer as he was leaving for home. When the police arrived later, they discovered Faulkner with the hammer standing over the lifeless body of Saini.
Saini had gone to the US two years ago after completing his B Tech in Computer Science from Chandigarh University. He had recently completed his MBA from Alabama University, according to his family in Haryana's Barwala.
Saini was the middle child of his parents. His father, Gurjeet Singh, is a farmer by profession.
His elder sister stays in New Zealand, while his younger brother is a farmer.
The victim's cousin Simran told India Today that his body reached India and his last rites were conducted.