Indian-origin couple gunned down in US

San Jose (California), May 5

An Indian-origin couple was gunned down at their house on Wednesday night by the estranged boyfriend of their daughter, the police said. The killer was shot dead too after he refused to surrender.

The police received a call from the victims’ 20-year-old son that the accused, Mirza Tatlic (24), had shot his parents at their house on Laura Ville Lane, near St James Anglican Church, reported sanfrancisco.cbs.  After the police arrived at the spot, they found Naren Prabhu, the girl’s father, lying in the front doorway, having been shot, San Jose police Chief Eddie Garcia said. “The suspect had been dating the victims’ adult daughter, Rachel, who was not home then,” said Garcia, adding their relationship ended last year.

The police officers learnt from Naren’s son that his mother and 13-year-old brother along with the suspect were still inside the house. A standoff ensued and following negotiations, Mirza agreed to release the 13-year-old who was used as a human shield for some time, Garcia said.

“As Mirza appeared at a window and pointed a handgun at officers, the police fired in self-defence with at least one round hitting the accused,” Garcia added. The officers then entered the house and found Naren, his wife (yet to be identified) and Mirza lying dead. 

The daughter’s troubled relationship had played out for months on social media with increasingly ominous Instagram posts. On April 25, the suspect wrote: “No mercy on ones that love you most.” 

“We were dealing with someone who was mentally ill,” said Garcia. “He had choices. He didn’t give this family a choice. He didn’t give my officer a choice.” — ANI