Indian working youth shot dead, investigations are on

Los Angeles, Aug 23: An Indian youth, working as a clerk in the US, has been shot dead by an unknown assailant, with police announcing a reward for any leads in the case.

27-year-old Manpreet Ghuman Singh, a native of Majri Kishnewally village in Punjab, was working at a gas station in South Lake Tahoe, California, authorities said. Singh was killed on August 6 after sustaining a single bullet wound to his upper torso.

There is currently no identified suspect in this homicide, which appears to have been committed by the lone suspect, SouthTahoeNow.com reported. Police Department detectives are collaborating with the El Dorado County Sheriff's and District Attorney's offices, as well as with the FBI, to process evidence and to explore several investigative avenues, the report said.

South Lake Tahoe police said it does not appear a robbery was involved in the crime. Police released two still images taken from surveillance video, but the quality of the pictures makes it difficult to identify details of the gunman's appearance.His face was well-covered by a hooded sweatshirt, the report said.

Information is being gathered concerning all aspects of the victim's life to help identify any potential leads, including his possible interactions with disgruntled customers or any troubled personal relationships.

The Lake Tahoe Secret Witness Program has offered a USD 1,500 reward for any information leading to the arrest of the suspect. An anonymous donor has contacted Secret Witness to contribute an additional USD 2,500 to this reward for a total of USD 4,000.

The body of the deceased will reach India today with the cremation likely to be fulfilled tomorrow at his native village. A close relative of the deceased is bringing back the body after completing all legal formalities, family members said.

PTI