Adam Purinton, 52, a U.S. Navy veteran who shot at two Indian American engineers inside a Kansas bar last February, was recently sentenced to life in prison for first-degree murder, according to Reuters.
Witnesses reported that Purinton shouted, “Get out of my country!” before shooting and killing Srinivas Kuchibhotla. He also shot and injured Kuchibhotla’s friend and coworker, Alok Madasani along with a bystander who tried to stop the attack, Ian Grillot.
The incident sparked international coverage on the rise of hate crimes against minorities following the election of president Donald Trump.
Both victims worked for Garmin; Kuchibhotla was a legal U.S. resident on a work visa.
In addition to being convicted of murder, Purinton is awaiting federal trial for hate crimes and fire arms charges; a U.S. grand jury indicted him in June for shooting the Indian American engineers because of their race, color, religion and national origin.
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The victim’s widow, Sunayana Dumala, gave a statement after Friday’s sentencing to CNN affiliate KCTV: “Today’s sentencing in the murder of my husband will not bring back my Srinu, but it sends a strong message that hate is never acceptable. I continue to use what has happened as a platform with the hope of saving others from going through this hell.”
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