The funeral of a man shot and killed in Olathe, Kansas, last week was held in his native India Tuesday. The attack, which was allegedly racially motivated, also left two others injured. Witnesses at the scene said that the attacker shouted “Go back to your country.”Srinivas Kuchibhotla, an engineer working for a local aviation company, died in hospital shortly after the attack last Wednesday. His body was flown back to his home state of Telagana, and the funeral service was held in the city of Hyderabad.A small group of protestors attended the ceremony, holding up signs condemning the attack as a hate crime. Some told VICE News that, through his tweets and messages, they felt that Donald Trump had divided people and racially profiled them.
The family of the victim wept openly as the body of Kuchibhotla was burnt in a traditional ceremony in Hyderabad. His wife returned to India with his body but did not attend the funeral, saying it was too painful.
Two men watch the traditional ceremony.
A small group attended the funeral brandishing signs that condemned the attack and Donald Trump.
One sign read: “We strongly condemn hate crimes!”
Friends and relatives comfort each other at the service.
The funeral was held on the same day that navy veteran Adam Purinton, 51, appeared in court charged with the murder of Kuchibhotla, and the attempted murder of his friend Alok Madasani. Purinton was also charged with the attempted murder of bystander Ian Grillot, who stepped in to help the men.
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