Inset: Gaurav Chopra (Hidalgo County Jail).
In a chilling incident just days before Father’s Day, a young Texas man is accused of fatally shooting his father, mother, and grandmother, and attempting to kill his brother, narrowly missing his target.
The suspect, 19-year-old Gaurav Chopra, faces serious charges including capital murder of multiple individuals. The tragic victims are identified as his father, Sweeta Ram, aged 56, his mother, Kamlesh Rani, 46, and his grandmother, Minder Kaur, 73. He is also charged with attempted capital murder for allegedly firing at his brother.
Sheriff J.E. “Eddie” Guerra of Hidalgo County reported to the media that law enforcement officers arrived shortly after 9 p.m. on Tuesday at a residence in the 3700 block of Roosevelt Avenue in Alton, located in southeastern Texas.
The unsettling 911 call came from Chopra’s brother, stating that Chopra had “killed his family” and also attempted to shoot him. Chopra fled the location in a white Lexus. Upon arrival, one deputy spotted the suspect’s car leaving the gated community.
Chopra allegedly fled the deputy and later crashed into two other cars. He was arrested. Deputies recovered a 9mm gun inside the car believed to be the murder weapon.
Back at the home, deputies discovered all three victims on the second floor suffering from gunshot wounds to the head. Rani and Kaur were pronounced dead at the scene. Ram later died at a hospital.
Guerra said investigators are still trying to determine a motive.
Ram owned a local motel and event center and was well respected in the community.
“He was a high-spirited, motivating person and always had positive things to say. I never heard him say a negative thing,” Palmview Mayor Rick Villarreal told local NBC/CBS affiliate KVEO.
Ram was happy to host various events and celebrations for the community.
“Any time we asked, he never said no,” Villarreal told the TV station. “We had several functions, a Christmas celebration, our Thanksgiving, employee recognitions. He always provided the best food.”
Chopra remains in the Hidalgo County Jail without bond. His next court date is unclear. KRGV reports that he was a student at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.