Ambala youth working as food delivery boy shot dead in US

Tribune News Service

Naraingarh, July 29

Dollar dreams of 26-year-old Jaswinder Singh, who shifted to Baltimore in Marlyland, USA, four years ago, came crashing when a gang of robbers shot him dead. A gang of robbers attacked Jaswinder at 4800 block of Alhambra Ave in Richnor Springs, an area notorious for killings, with 39 reported this month.

Jaswinder, who worked as a delivery boy for a local food vendor in Baltimore, was shot dead on Sunday, while the news reached his family today. As per information, Jaswinder was delivering food when he was targeted by a gang, who shot him from behind and fled the spot after looting him.

However, patrol officers of the Maryland State Police Department arrived quickly at the spot and after hearing about the description of the shooters by an eyewitness sounded an alert, which led to the arrest of one of the robbers, 20-year-old Marlo Lomax Jr., from the Central District in Baltimore.

The incident has left the family, who lives in Lotton village in Naraingarh district of Ambala, heartbroken; they are now making attempts to get in touch with the US Embassy in New Delhi and the Indian Embassy in US to get Jaswinder’s body back.

His father, Jaspal Singh, a former Armyman said they were told that the morgue authorities in Baltimore had not issued a death certificate in Jaswinder’s name, due to which the body had not been sent to India. “We have been trying to get in touch with the US Embassy in India and the Indian Embassy in US so that we can get our son’s body back.” Jaswinder’s mother, Nirmal Kaur was shattered after hearing the news. She said: “I was against his going abroad. Before he left, we had constant fights. I contended desperately against his going to the USA, but he wouldn’t listen.”

Jaswinder’s sister, Jaspreet Kaur, who was in tears, said “Jassi promised to get me a new phone on his return. I just want my brother back home.” His younger brother, Jitender Singh, said Jaswinder was supposed to visit them this year and they were looking forward as he was returning after a long time. “The news of his killing has devastated my family. My father seems lost and my mother is inconsolable,” he said.

He added the US authorities told them that it will at least take 10 days for the body to arrive here. Meanwhile, villagers assembled at their home and said they would be take up the matter with the district administration on Thursday seeking intervention of Indian authorities to expedite the process to get the body back.