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A 28-year-old Indian MBA student was shot and killed in Philadelphia, USA, after two unidentified suspects allegedly placed a fake pizza delivery order to lure him to a vacant housing complex in the middle of the night. The victim, identified as Anshul Kuncha, was ambushed and shot multiple times in the head at point-blank range. He died on the spot. No arrests have been made so far.
Anshul Kuncha was a resident of Gundlapochampally in the Medchal-Malkajgiri district of Telangana, India. He was pursuing a Master of Business Administration degree in the United States while simultaneously holding a full-time job at a multinational company. On weekends, he worked part-time as a delivery driver for Pete’s Pizza in North Philadelphia to support himself financially.
On the night of June 5 going into June 6, Kuncha received a delivery order to an address at the Raymond Rosen Homes housing complex on the 2300 block of Edgley Street in North Philadelphia. He arrived at the location shortly after 12:30 a.m. What he did not know was that the address was a vacant, unoccupied unit and that two individuals were already waiting for him.
Who Were the Killers and Why Did They Target Him?
As of now, the identities of the two suspects remain unknown. Philadelphia Police have not made any arrests. The motive behind the killing is also officially undetermined. What makes this case particularly disturbing is that nothing was stolen from Kuncha. No wallet, no phone, no keys, nothing. This completely rules out robbery as a motive and suggests the killing was deliberate and premeditated.
Philadelphia Police Department has announced a reward of $20,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
Surveillance cameras maintained by the Philadelphia Housing Authority captured footage of Kuncha walking through the complex carrying the pizza boxes. The footage shows two individuals dressed in dark clothing following him. One of them was carrying a dark backpack. The cameras did not capture the shooting itself, but investigators say the footage is a critical lead being actively analyzed.
Authorities confirmed they are in possession of the phone number used to place the fake delivery order. Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small stated: “We do have the phone number that made that pizza delivery.” Investigators are tracing that number as a primary lead.
What Happened at the Scene?
After arriving at the Raymond Rosen Homes complex, Kuncha completed the delivery to the listed apartment. Inside that vacant unit, officers later found three pizza boxes and a delivery bag, with the food completely untouched. As Kuncha was exiting the courtyard after completing the delivery, the two suspects opened fire, shooting him multiple times in the head at point-blank range. Detectives recovered three spent shell casings near his body, confirming the shooter was standing extremely close to him at the time of the attack.
His vehicle was found parked near the scene with a pizza warmer still sitting inside.
Officers responded to reports of gunfire and found Kuncha lying unresponsive in the courtyard, bleeding heavily from a head wound. He was transported to Temple University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at approximately 1:00 a.m.
Family Calls It a Deliberate Trap
Kuncha’s family back in Telangana received the devastating news and have not minced words about what they believe happened. His family stated: “He was told to deliver pizza in an abandoned area, but we later learned it was a decoy. There was no one there. It was a trap, meant solely to kill him. We do not know what they gained or what their intentions were.”
The family is currently awaiting the repatriation of his body from the United States. The Consulate General of India in New York has confirmed it is in direct contact with the family and is extending all possible consular assistance. In a statement posted on X, the Consulate said: “We are deeply saddened by the untimely demise of Mr. Anshul Kuncha, an Indian national in Philadelphia, PA. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences to his family during this difficult time. The Consulate is in touch with Anshul’s family and is extending all possible assistance.”
Investigation Status
Philadelphia Police are actively pursuing two main leads: the phone number used to place the fake delivery order and the surveillance footage showing the two suspects in dark clothing. The $20,000 reward announced by the Philadelphia Police Department signals the seriousness with which authorities are treating this case. However, as of the time of publishing, no suspects have been identified publicly and no arrests have been made.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Philadelphia Police Department Homicide Unit at 215-686-3334 or call the anonymous tip line at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.
