Austin, Texas — May 20, 2025
In a tragic and senseless act of violence, 30-year-old Indian-origin entrepreneur Akshay Gupta was brutally stabbed to death while traveling on a public bus in Austin, Texas. The incident occurred on the evening of May 14 and has sent shockwaves through the local community and Indian diaspora.
Gupta, a co-founder of a promising health-tech startup, was a well-known figure in Austin’s startup ecosystem. According to the Austin Police Department (APD), emergency personnel responded to reports of a stabbing aboard a city bus. Gupta was found critically injured with multiple stab wounds, particularly to the neck. Despite immediate medical attention, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Accused Identified as Homeless Indian Citizen
The suspect has been identified as Deepak Kandel, a 31-year-old Indian national who was reportedly homeless at the time of the attack. Eyewitness accounts and surveillance footage from the bus reveal that Kandel was seated near Gupta and launched the attack without provocation, stabbing him in a “butcher-style” manner.
Local news channel KXAN reported that video footage showed Gupta quietly seated before the suspect suddenly pulled out a knife and assaulted him. In the aftermath, the bus driver halted the vehicle, and Kandel fled along with other passengers. He was apprehended by police shortly after.
Shocking Motive and Criminal Background
In police interviews, Kandel stated he attacked Gupta because he “looked like his uncle.” He has been charged with first-degree murder and is currently held at Travis County Jail.
According to a report from CBS Austin, Kandel has a lengthy criminal history, including multiple arrests. However, legal records indicate that charges were not filed in four of those cases, two saw no charges brought forward, and three were dismissed altogether.
Community in Mourning
Gupta’s untimely death has prompted an outpouring of grief from the tech and Indian-American communities in Texas. Known for his vision in digital health solutions, Gupta was celebrated as a dynamic young entrepreneur who believed in making healthcare accessible through innovation.
Community leaders have expressed concern about rising violence in public spaces and the need for better mental health support systems, especially for the homeless.
As investigations continue, tributes continue to pour in for a young innovator whose life was cut short far too soon.
