Paruchuri Balagopal (43), a native of Chitturpu village in Ghantasala mandal, was shot dead at his gas station situated on Myrtle Beach in South Carolina in the United States of America on Friday night. He is survived by wife Soujanya, son Chandu (10) and daughter Likitha (12).

According to information reaching here, some unidentified persons barged into the gas station run by Balagopal, at around 10.30 p.m. (US time) and looted the cash counter at gunpoint. When Balagopal resisted them, he was shot dead from a close range.

According to Avanigadda DSP Y. Srinivas, Balagopal’s parents Balanageswara Rao and Krishna Kumari live at Tadigadapa centre in Vijayawada city. Balanageswara Rao is a retired employee of the Roads & Buildings Department. The couple is away at Arunachal Pradesh, where their daughter lives.

On hearing the shocking news, they have started for the city. Meanwhile, the State government has started making efforts through its special representative in New Delhi, K. Rammohan Rao to bring back the body. IT Minister Palle Raghunatha Reddy, expressing his condolences to the bereaved family, said the State government was in touch with the Indian Embassy and members of the Telugu Association of North America (TANA) in this regard.

Balagopal had completed his education from Andhra Loyola College here and left for the US almost 15 years ago. He was also running a provision store.