US flag to fly half-mast in memory of Indian students

Washington, Dec 18: The Louisiana State University (LSU) has lowered the American flag on its parade ground to half-staff in honour of its two deceased Indian doctoral students, even as Baton Rouge police released 'artist sketches' of two of the suspects wanted in connection with their alleged murder.

The flag will fly at half-staff until 4:30 pm on Friday, said a University statement. Bodies of Chandrasekhar Reddy Komma (31) and Kiran Kumar Allam (33) were found with gun shot wounds on Thursday night in the Edward Gay Apartments around the campus. Both the suspects are black male in their twenties. One was wearing a white hooded sweatshirt and the other wore a white long sleeve shirt with a high collar and dark jeans.

In all, the police suspects at least three and possibly four black males who were on the complex property as early as 9:00 pm on the night of December 13, the day the two students were allegedly done to death.

According to LSU news, all investigative indicators so far are that the suspects were scouting for an opportunity to rob someone, and the working investigative theory at this time is that the suspects may have observed Komma arrive at the complex to visit his friend Allam, and may have followed Komma into Allam's apartment.

It says these suspects should obviously be considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached. Anyone with any information on their identities or whereabouts is urged to immediately contact the police.

UNI