Anshul Kuncha, a 28-year-old Hyderabad native who was allegedly shot dead in Philadelphia, United States. File
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
A 28-year-old Hyderabad native was allegedly shot dead in Philadelphia, United States, while carrying out a pizza delivery on Friday (June 5, 2026), with the family learning of the incident through authorities and acquaintances.
The victim, Anshul Kuncha, had been living in the U.S. for nearly four years after moving there to pursue higher education. Family members said he was employed at a multinational company in North Philadelphia and took up pizza deliveries during weekends to supplement his income.
In a statement posted on X, the Consulate General of India in New York expressed condolences to the bereaved family and said it was in contact with them. The mission stated that all possible assistance was being extended to the family during the difficult period.
Speaking to media in Hyderabad, his sister Tanvi said the family was informed that Anshul had sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the head. According to information shared with them, he had been assigned a delivery to a deserted location which later appeared to have been a setup.
She alleged that the delivery request was used to lure him to the spot. “It was a trap. They called him there and killed him. We do not know the motive or what they hoped to gain,” she said.
Ms. Tanvi said no belongings were reported missing after the incident, leading the family to believe robbery was not the objective. Referring to reports in the U.S. media, she said two masked individuals carrying backpacks were suspected to have been involved in the shooting.
The family has sought the intervention of the Ministry of External Affairs to expedite the repatriation of Anshul’s mortal remains. They were informed that the body would be released by local authorities on Monday (June 8, 2026).
Seeking justice, Ms. Tanvi said the family was struggling to come to terms with the loss and wanted answers regarding the circumstances surrounding the killing.
She also claimed that Anshul had previously been the victim of a robbery in the U.S., during which his chain, mobile phone and cash were allegedly stolen. Remembering him as a cheerful and affectionate person, family members said his death had come as a shock to relatives and friends.
According to the Philadelphia Police Department’s statement to the press, preliminary investigation suggest that Anshul had been sent to deliver a pizza order to an apartment within a housing complex. However, the address provided for the delivery was later found to be a vacant unit.
Chief Inspector Scott Small shared that they recovered three spent shell casings near the victim, indicating that the assailant was standing at close range when the shots were fired. Officers who searched the vacant apartment found three pizza boxes and a delivery bag inside. The food appeared untouched, leading investigators to suspect that Anshul had completed the delivery before being shot outside the building.
Police subsequently traced the order to Pete’s Pizza, where Anshul worked as a delivery driver. His vehicle was located near the scene, with a pizza warmer still inside.
Investigators are also examining footage captured by surveillance cameras operated by the Philadelphia Housing Authority. According to police, the footage shows Anshul carrying pizza boxes while being followed by two individuals dressed in dark clothing, one of whom appeared to be carrying a dark backpack. Although the shooting itself was not captured on camera, officials believe the footage could provide crucial leads in the case.
Published – June 07, 2026 02:41 pm IST
