Latest news with #Kandel
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
CapMetro bus drivers scared to go to work after recent deadly stabbing; call for change
The Brief CapMetro bus drivers say they are scared to go to work amid recent deadly stabbing on a bus Bus drivers are now calling on CapMetro to make changes Transit Police Department officers will start patrolling next month AUSTIN, Texas - CapMetro bus drivers are afraid to go to work. They are calling on the transit agency to make changes. They said many have been assaulted and robbed on the job. This comes after a passenger was stabbed to death on a bus just last week. The backstory Police said on May 14, around 6:45 p.m., officers and Austin-Travis County EMS responded to a shoot/stab hotshot call in the 500 block of South Lamar Boulevard. The caller said someone had been stabbed on a CapMetro bus. When officers arrived, they found a victim, later identified as Akshay Gupta, with trauma to his body. He later died from his injuries. The investigation showed the suspect, 31-year-old Deepak Kandel, was sitting next to Gupta on the bus when, without provocation, Kandel stabbed Gupta in the neck. Once the bus stopped, Kandel left the bus with other passengers. Police were able to find Kandel shortly after and arrest him. He admitted to stabbing Gupta because he said Gupta looked like his uncle. Kandel was booked into the Travis County Jail and was charged with murder. What they're saying Bus operators said things happen all the time. "I would say, since COVID, I don't know what's in the water, but it's pretty bad out there. You got a lot of mentally ill people or people that are a little off, and they're riding our buses, and our operators who should be focusing on the safety of operating their buses got to be counselors, got to be therapists," Austin Amalgamated Transit Union President Brent Payne said. "I had an unhoused gentleman come up and try assaulting, try choking me," a CapMetro bus operator told the transit agency's board. "None of us should ever have to come to work in fight or flight mode or survival mode and stressed out wondering if we'll even make it home at the end of our shifts," a 6-year CapMetro bus operator said. "We've had operators quit, saying, I'm not getting paid enough to deal with this kind of temperament," Payne said. Bus operators said they can't necessarily protect themselves. "We're not allowed to carry weapons or pepper spray," Payne said. They said no one else is there to protect them either. "We have been waiting for years for the Metro Police Department. Are they ready for the call to duty?" a bus operator said to the board. The backstory The CapMetro Transit Police Department swore in its first three officers, including Chief Robins, back in August 2024. "Since that time, we have been really doing quite a bit of getting ourselves prepared to deploy officers, specifically putting together policies, procedures, obviously hiring, recruiting, hiring, and doing those types of things, but there's quite a bit of work that goes on in the background when you establish in a police department specifically for the first time," CapMetro Police Chief Eric Robins said. Chief Robins said they have hired an additional nine officers and two sergeants with hopes to have a total of 24 officers by fiscal year 2026. "We're in a competitive market when it comes to law enforcement and hiring officers, but we want to make sure that those officers are the officers that are going to be people-centric, focus on what our missions and our goals and our values are, and working in our system to, obviously, do everything we can to de-escalate situations and to keep our system safe," Chief Robins said. The CapMetro police chief said they plan to start patrolling June 16. The other side "I don't see them being fully staffed for another year or two. At this pace, it's not going to happen any time soon," Payne said. Payne said the direct impact of that is: "Now you're forcing everyday bargaining employee people to be their own security, unfortunately," Payne said. Payne said even if another law enforcement agency responds and someone is arrested, "you can do something to a bus operator and be out that same day, which is one of the problems I struggle with right now." "And they could be back on the bus?" FOX 7 Crime Watch Reporter Meredith Aldis asked Payne. "Back on the bus before you get off your shift," Payne responded. Payne is pushing for House Bill 689 which increases the criminal penalty for certain offenses committed in a vehicle operated by a public transportation system. It still needs a vote from the House and Senate. "We're just people who are trying to go home to our families," Payne said. The Source Information from interviews conducted by FOX 7 Austin's Meredith Aldis
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Time of India
Indian stabs another Indian to death in Texas bus
In a shocking incident in Austin, Texas, an -origin entrepreneur was fatally stabbed by a fellow Indian passenger aboard a CapMetro bus. The victim, identified as Akshay Gupta, was 30 years old and reportedly had no prior interaction with the assailant. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The attacker, Deepak Kandel, 31, was arrested at the scene and charged with first-degree murder. The incident occurred on May 14, 2025, around 6:45 p.m. According to the Austin Police Department, Gupta was stabbed in the neck without warning during the bus ride in South Austin. Kandel had been sitting next to Gupta on the bus when he stabbed Gupta in his neck. Police officers and emergency medical services responded to a "Shoot/Stab" call of someone being stabbed on a bus in the evening. "Kandel stabbed Gupta in the neck without provocation," according to police. Emergency responders administered life-saving measures on Gupta, but he was pronounced dead at 7:30 p.m., according to a report by the KXAN network. Kandel, who is reported to be homeless, was detained by police shortly after the incident. Authorities have not disclosed a clear motive for the attack, and investigations are ongoing. The case has raised concerns about safety on public transportation and the need for increased security measures. Austin Police identified Deepak Kandel by reviewing CCTV footage from the bus. The footage revealed that after the bus made an emergency stop, Kandel calmly exited the vehicle with other passengers and left the scene on foot. Austin Police Department patrol officers located and detained him shortly thereafter. "Kandel was found less than a mile from where the bus pulled over," according to an arrest affidavit. He reportedly told police that he stabbed Gupta because he looked like his uncle. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Gupta's family and friends have expressed shock and grief over the loss. They described him as a talented and hardworking individual who had recently relocated to the US to pursue career opportunities in the tech industry. A memorial service is planned in Austin to honor his memory. The Austin community has rallied in support of Gupta's family, with local organizations offering assistance and condolences. The incident has also prompted discussions about mental health services and support for homeless individuals in the area.
News18
21-05-2025
- News18
Indian-Origin Entrepreneur Stabbed To Death By Fellow Indian ‘Without Provocation' In Texas Bus
Last Updated: The deceased man was identified as Akshay Gupta, who was stabbed by a fellow Indian in the bus in Texas, the police said. A 30-year-old Indian-origin entrepreneur, Akshay Gupta, was stabbed to death by a fellow Indian in a public bus in the Austin area, Texas, US, the police said. The fatal incident took place when Gupta was sitting at the back of the bus, and the attacker, identified as Deepak Kandel, stabbed him 'without provocation", the police added. As the police received information of a stabbing incident on the bus, on which there were around 12 passengers at the time of the crime, the officers rushed to the spot and found the man's body in a pool of blood with severe injuries. The police said in a statement that the attacker was sitting next to the victim in the bus when the former stabbed the latter 'without provocation". 'Once the bus was stopped, Kandel calmly exited the bus with the other passengers and left the scene on foot," the police said. The emergency responders attempted to save his life, however, he was pronounced dead at 7.30 pm. The incident took place on May 14. advetisement The police later detained Kandel, who admitted to stabbing Gupta 'due to him resembling his uncle". 'Kandel was found less than a mile from where the bus pulled over," an arrest affidavit said. The attacker was locked up in Travis County Jail after being charged with 1st Degree Murder. The man has previously been arrested and released several times on charges of misdemeanour. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! Location : United States of America (USA) First Published: News world Indian-Origin Entrepreneur Stabbed To Death By Fellow Indian 'Without Provocation' In Texas Bus
NDTV
21-05-2025
- NDTV
Indian-Origin Entrepreneur Killed "Without Provocation" In Texas Public Bus
Washington: An Indian origin entrepreneur was fatally stabbed by another Indian man in a public bus in the Austin area of Texas, United States, police said. The victim, 30-year-old Akshay Gupta, was seated at the back of the bus when Deepak Kandel, 31, attacked him "without provocation", the Austin Police Department said. Police officers and emergency medical services responded to a "Shoot/Stab" call of someone being stabbed on a bus on the evening of May 14. When officers arrived on the scene, they located Gupta with trauma to his body. "Kandel stabbed Gupta in the neck without provocation," according to police. Emergency responders administered life-saving measures on Gupta, but he was pronounced dead at 7:30 p.m., according to a report by the KXAN network. Police were able to identify Kandel by reviewing CCTV footage from the bus. It was found that once the bus was stopped, Kandel calmly exited the vehicle with the other passengers and left the scene on foot. APD patrol officers were able to locate and detain him a short time later "Kandel was found less than a mile from where the bus pulled over," according to an arrest affidavit. He reportedly told police that he stabbed Gupta because he looked like his uncle. Kandel has been booked in Travis County Jail and charged with 1st Degree Murder. According to the KXAN report, Kandel has been arrested and released multiple times on misdemeanour charges. There were reportedly 12 passengers on the bus during the stabbing. Gupta was an entrepreneur in the health-tech startup space. He co-founded FootBit in Austin, a company dedicated to helping senior citizens improve mobility and balance. He also co-founded a company called ASG Research LLC in 2024. Per his LinkedIn profile, he held a master's degree from Penn State University and had met Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella for his groundbreaking innovation.
The Hindu
21-05-2025
- The Hindu
Indian stabbed, killed by another Indian man in public bus in Texas
In a tragic incident, a 30-year-old Indian was stabbed and killed by another Indian man in a public bus in Austin, Texas, police said. Akshay Gupta was travelling in a bus on the evening of May 14, the Austin Police Department (APD) said in a statement. Police officers and emergency medical services responded to a 'Shoot/Stab' call of someone being stabbed on a bus. When officers arrived on the scene, they located Gupta with trauma to his body. Police said that life-saving measures were attempted, but unfortunately, Gupta was pronounced dead on the scene. The suspect was identified as Deepak Kandel, 31. Investigation revealed that Mr. Kandel had been sitting next to Gupta on the bus when, without provocation, Mr. Kandel stabbed Gupta in the neck. Once the bus stopped, Mr. Kandel calmly exited the vehicle with the other passengers. APD patrol officers were able to locate and detain Mr. Kandel a short time later. Mr. Kandel admitted to stabbing 'Gupta due to him resembling his uncle.' Mr. Kandel was booked into the Travis County Jail and has been charged with 1st Degree Murder.
