Hyderabad: The Kansas police identified the man who fatally shot at Sharath Koppu, early this month as Marlin Mack. The police suspect that the man had opened fire on three police officers when they tried to corner him believing him to be responsible for shooting at a restaurant resulting in the death of Sharath Koppy on July 6.
The Kansas police did not elaborate on details of the man. Kansas city police chief Rick Smith said Mack was wanted for questioning in the slaying of 25-year-old Koppu, who was fatally shot during an armed robbery on July 6 at a fast-food restaurant.
Investigators believe Koppu, who was helping a friend at the restaurant, was the random victim of a robbery.
Video from the restaurant prompted up to 40 tips, which Smith said was vital to finding the shooter.
The police who had launched a hunt for Mack since the shooting found him on Sunday at a motel in eastern Kansas City. Investigators said he opened fire at officers, hitting two of them. Mack then fled to a nearby house where more gunfire was exchanged.
He eventually came out of the house firing and was shot by officers, reports said.
The official said police were not aware of Mack before Koppu's shooting. Prison officials in Missouri and Kansas have no record of any prior violations, and online court records show no criminal history for Mack. A juvenile who fled the scene of the first shooting was taken into custody but isn't expected to face charges, the police said.
Koppu was studying for a master's degree in computer engineering at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. His cousin, Raghu Chowdavaram, told WDAF-TV on Monday that Koppu was chasing his dream of earning a graduate degree in computer engineering.
“He was determined to do something very big,” Chowdavaram said.
