FBI investigating shooting of Indian immigrants as hate crime

The FBI is investigating the Kansas shooting of two Indian immigrants as a hate crime.

“Based upon the initial investigative activity, the FBI, in conjunction with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, is investigating this incident as a hate crime,” the Justice Department said in a statement on Tuesday, as reported by ABC News.

“The FBI will continue to work jointly with the Olathe Police Department and our state and local partners regarding this ongoing investigation. As this is an ongoing investigation, we are not able to comment further at this time.”

{mosads}The suspect, Adam Purinton, is being charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder and one count of first-degree murder, according to KCUR.

According to the Kansas City Star, witnesses heard Purinton shout “get out of my country” before shooting at the two Indian men at a restaurant in Olathe, Kan., last week. 

One of the two men, Srinivas Kuchibhotla, died from injuries incurred during the attack, as reported by KCUR. The other man, Alok Madasani, has been released from the hospital. A third man, Ian Grillot, who tried to interfere on behalf of the victims during the assault, was also hospitalized and is reportedly in stable condition.

Purinton made his first appearance in court on Monday and will be represented by a public defender.

The White House on Tuesday also called the shootings an “act of racially motivated hatred” amid criticism that President Trump had not responded strongly to the incident.