A 28-year-old man from Telangana was shot dead in Philadelphia, United States, after responding to what investigators believe may have been a fake pizza delivery order. The incident has sparked concern among the Indian community in the US, while authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting.
The victim, identified as Anshul Kuncha, was working as a pizza delivery driver in Philadelphia. According to local police, the shooting occurred shortly after midnight at the Raymond Rosen Homes housing complex in North Philadelphia. Anshul Kuncha had reportedly completed a pizza delivery to an apartment unit before he was attacked.
Investigators said the delivery order had been placed for a vacant apartment within the housing complex. After reaching the address and leaving the food, Mr. Kuncha was shot in the head outside the building. Emergency responders rushed him to a nearby hospital, but he later succumbed to his injuries.
Police officers responding to reports of gunfire found the delivery driver critically injured on the ground. Authorities recovered multiple spent shell casings near the scene, suggesting that the shooter was standing very close to the victim when the attack took place. Investigators are treating the case as a homicide.
Officials examining the scene discovered that the pizzas delivered by Anshul Kuncha had been left untouched inside the vacant apartment. This finding has led investigators to suspect that the delivery order may have been used to lure the victim to the location. The discovery has become a central focus of the ongoing investigation.
Surveillance footage obtained from cameras in the housing complex has provided investigators with important clues. While the actual shooting was not captured on camera, footage reportedly shows Anshul Kuncha carrying pizza boxes while being followed by two individuals dressed in dark clothing. One of the individuals was allegedly carrying a backpack. Authorities are now working to identify the people seen in the video.
Police have not announced any arrests in connection with the case. However, investigators said they have traced the phone number used to place the pizza order and are pursuing it as a significant lead. Authorities hope that information linked to the order will help identify those responsible for the shooting.
The incident has drawn attention both in the United States and India. Reports indicate that Anshul Kuncha was originally from the Telangana and had been living and working in the US. His sudden death has shocked family members, friends, and members of the Indian diaspora.
Following the tragedy, the Consulate General of India in New York expressed condolences to the bereaved family and said it was extending support. Indian officials are reportedly in touch with local authorities and are assisting the victim’s relatives during the difficult period.
The case has also renewed concerns about the safety risks faced by delivery workers, especially those working late-night shifts. Food delivery personnel often travel alone and respond to orders in unfamiliar locations, making them vulnerable to crimes such as robbery and assault. Community leaders and worker advocates have called for stronger safety measures and better protections for gig and delivery workers.
Philadelphia police have appealed to the public for information that could help solve the case and also the investigators are continuing to review surveillance footage, examine forensic evidence, and trace communications linked to the order that brought Anshul Kuncha to the housing complex.
As the investigation continues, family members and friends are seeking answers about what led to the fatal encounter. Authorities remain focused on determining whether the delivery order was deliberately used as a trap and identifying those responsible for the killing of the young Telangana native.
