Philadelphia: The family of 28-year-old Indian student Anshul Kuncha, who was shot dead while working as a pizza delivery driver in Philadelphia, has alleged that he was deliberately lured to a vacant apartment through a fake food order in what they believe was a premeditated attack.

Anshul, who had moved to the United States in 2023 to pursue an MBA, was working part-time as a pizza delivery driver while studying.

Family alleges delivery order was a decoy

Speaking after the incident, Anshul’s sister, Tanvi Kuncha, claimed that the pizza order was used to lure him to an isolated location.

According to her, the address linked to the order turned out to be vacant, leading the family to suspect that the delivery request was never genuine.

“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,” she said, expressing the family’s anguish over the killing.

The family also disclosed that Anshul had reportedly been robbed previously in the United States, during which his phone, cash and personal belongings were allegedly stolen.

Shooting occurred after late-night delivery

According to investigators, police responded shortly after 12:30 a.m. on Friday to reports of a shooting at the Raymond Rosen Homes public housing complex in North Philadelphia.

Officers found Anshul with a gunshot wound to the head. He later succumbed to his injuries.

During the investigation, authorities discovered that the apartment associated with the pizza order was vacant. Police reportedly found pizza boxes and a delivery bag inside the unit that appeared untouched, raising further questions about the purpose of the order.

Surveillance footage under review

Investigators said surveillance footage captured two individuals dressed in dark clothing following Anshul shortly before the shooting. However, the actual attack was not recorded on camera.

Police have recovered shell casings from the crime scene and are attempting to trace the phone number used to place the pizza order.

Authorities have not yet identified a motive behind the killing and no arrests have been announced so far.

Family seeks help to bring body home

The family has appealed to both the Central and state governments for assistance in expediting the repatriation of Anshul’s body to India.

Relatives said US authorities are expected to release the body shortly, and they hope the necessary formalities can be completed quickly to allow funeral rites to be conducted in India.

The incident has once again highlighted concerns surrounding the safety of international students and delivery workers, particularly those working late-night shifts while pursuing higher education abroad.

Investigation continues

Police in Philadelphia are continuing to examine evidence, including surveillance footage, forensic material and digital records connected to the delivery order.

Investigators are treating the vacant apartment and the food order as key elements in determining whether the shooting was a targeted attack or part of another criminal act.

The motive behind the killing remains under investigation.