Ian Grillot gets emotional as he accepts a check from Indian Ambassador Navtej Sarna (Courtesy: Twitter)
Ian Grillot gets emotional as he accepts a check from Indian Ambassador Navtej Sarna
HOUSTON (Diya TV) — Ian Grillot, the 24-year-old American who put himself between the gun and the victims in last month’s triple-shooting that left Srinivas Kuchibhotla dead and Alok Madasani injured, knew he was going to be honored at India House’s when he arrived Saturday.
What he didn’t know, however, is that he’d be receiving a $100,000 check.
The India House and three donors teamed up to raise the money for Grillot, which he plans on using towards the purchase of a home. The gala’s three guest speakers included Navtej Sarna, the Indian Ambassador to the United States. But organizers also asked Grillot, whom they had invited as the special guest of honor, to say a few words. He attended the event with his family.
“It was a very impressive evening,” his mother, Debra Grillot, told The Kansas City Star. “A lot of dignitaries were there from within the Indian community.”
The 32-year-old Kuchibhotla, who was an engineer working at Garmin, was killed in the Olathe attack. His friend and fellow engineer, Alok Madasani, 32, was wounded. Both are natives of India.
The FBI is currently investigating the incident, which 51-year-old Navy veteran Adam Purinton has been charged in as the shooter, as a possible hate crime because the gunman allegedly shouted “get out of my country” before he began firing at the two men. Grillot suffered gunshot wounds to his right hand and chest while trying to stop the shooter.
Purinton has been charged with first-degree murder and two counts of attempted first-degree murder.
