Telangana Student Pursuing Master’s in US Shot Dead During Suspected Robbery

A 26-year-old Indian student from Telangana was shot and killed in Wisconsin during an alleged robbery. The victim, identified as Praveen, was pursuing a master’s degree in Milwaukee and working part-time at a store.

The incident occurred early Wednesday morning. U.S. authorities informed his family about the tragedy. Praveen’s father said he received a missed call from his son at 5 a.m. When he noticed it later in the morning, he sent a voice message but did not get a response. An hour later, he called back, but someone else answered the phone. Sensing something was wrong, he disconnected the call.

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When he reached out to Praveen’s friends, they told him that his son had gone to work at a store, where robbers opened fire during a heist. Praveen was hit by a bullet and died at the scene.

His cousin, Arun, said some of Praveen’s friends confirmed that his body had been found. Some reports suggested he was killed inside a store by unidentified attackers, but the exact cause of death remains unclear. U.S. authorities have informed the family that a post-mortem report will confirm the details.

Praveen had completed his engineering degree in Hyderabad before moving to the U.S. for his master's in 2023. He visited India in December 2024 and returned to the U.S. in January 2025. The family is in deep shock after learning about his death.

Just hours before the incident, Praveen had tried to call his father, but they could not speak as he was asleep.