A drunken 51 year old Trump supporter has shot three young Americans in Olathe Kansas, killing one
Witnesses said the shooter Adam Purington had become abusive and yelled at two Americans to, "Get out of my country," before he was removed from the sports bar.
Purinton later returned to the sports bar wearing a black and white scarf over his head, in what some witnesses called "an Arab style", and gunned down the two Garmin employees and shot a third American when he tackled the shooter. Srini Kuchibhotla, the 32 year old Engineering Manager for Garmin's OEM Helicopter Group, was killed instantly.
Fellow engineer employed at nearby Garmin Aeronautics, 32 year old Alok Madasani, is hospitalized along with 24 year old Ian Grillot who was shot attempting to stop the murderer.
Olathe Police Chief Steve Menke told reporters “It was a tragic and senseless act of violence,” and called Ian Grillot's actions "absolutely heroic". Menke added, "Ian most likely saved many lives." Grillot lives in North Carolina but grew up in Olathe Kansas and was visiting his parents and a sister.
Johnson County DA Steve Howe announced Purinton has been charge with First Degree murder and he, and FBI agent Eric Jackson, said it was too early in the investigation to determine if the crime could be classified as a hate crime. “We’re less than 24 hours in,” Howe said. “We want to be sure of the facts versus speculation.” Jackson said it was not “uncommon” for joint federal and local law enforcement investigations into possible hate crimes.
Jon Cassat, vice president of communications for Garmin told the press we express our condolences to Srini's wife and his family. Srini's body will be sent to India for burial at the request of his parents who still live there.
The shooter, Adam Purinton, was arrested five hours later at an Appleby's restaurant and charged with one count premeditated first-degree murder and two counts premeditated attempted murder.
Purinton, a Navy veteran is employed as a desktop computer support technician at GEN3RATION, a company with 50 employees which provides computer maintenence for local businesses.
Ian Grillot's sister Maggie has posted this photo from the hospital with her brother's thanks to supporters
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