AUSTIN, Texas (Diya TV) — A rising Indian American entrepreneur was fatally stabbed aboard a public bus in Austin on May 14 in what police describe as an unprovoked and sudden attack carried out by a fellow Indian national.
The victim, 30-year-old Akshay Gupta, was seated on a Capital Metro bus when he was attacked by 31-year-old Deepak Kandel, according to a statement from the Austin Police Department (APD). Authorities say Kandel, who is also Indian American, stood up without warning and stabbed Gupta in the neck with a butcher-style knife before calmly exiting the vehicle with other passengers when the bus came to a stop.
Emergency responders attempted life-saving measures, but Gupta was pronounced dead at the scene. Officers arrested Kandel nearby shortly after the incident. During police questioning, Kandel confessed to the killing and offered a bizarre explanation, claiming he carried out the murder because Gupta “resembled his uncle,” according to police reports.
CBS Austin reported that Kandel has a long history of arrests, although he has not been prosecuted in past cases. Surveillance footage obtained by KXAN shows Gupta sitting quietly at the back of the bus, not engaging with anyone, moments before he was attacked. The footage depicts Kandel suddenly standing, raising the knife above his head, and delivering the fatal blow.
Gupta was well-known in Austin’s startup community. He co-founded FootBit, a health-tech company that helps senior citizens improve mobility and balance. A Penn State graduate with a master’s degree, Gupta had recently received the prestigious O-1A visa, which is granted to individuals with extraordinary abilities in fields such as science, education, or business.
He had previously been recognized by Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella for his innovations and had turned down a $300,000 job offer from Amazon to focus on growing his startup. Kandel has been charged with first-degree murder and is being held at Travis County Jail.
The case has drawn attention across Austin and the Indian diaspora, especially given the senseless nature of the attack and Gupta’s growing impact in the tech sector.
In a separate, unrelated incident just three days later, Austin police fatally shot a man in a wheelchair who was reportedly brandishing a gun in public. The man, identified as 39-year-old Danny Palomino, was killed by Officer Joshua Jackson after police say Palomino pointed what appeared to be a firearm at officers.
Upon retrieval, the weapon was found to be a replica Glock BB gun, according to APD. Police said they received multiple 911 calls around 10 a.m. on May 17 about a man in a wheelchair obstructing traffic and holding a weapon on West William Cannon Drive, near Menchaca Road.
Officers arrived to find Palomino moving away from police but later turning and raising his weapon. After repeated commands to drop the gun, Officer Jackson fired six rounds. Palomino died at the scene. No other injuries were reported.
Austin Police Chief Robin Henderson released bodycam footage, 911 audio, and bystander videos to provide transparency and urged the public to share any additional information.
Both incidents have raised public concern over safety and mental health issues within the city’s transit and homeless communities. Police have not yet confirmed whether mental health played a role in either case, but both suspects exhibited erratic behavior before the violent events.
The APD continues to investigate both cases and is encouraging anyone with additional information or footage to contact their Special Investigations Unit.
