Thaindian News

Washington, Dec 28 (IANS) US authorities have charged two men with murder in the fatal shooting of a 22-year-old Indian student during an aggressive 20-second robbery on Christmas morning at a convenience store in Texas.Daniel Jacob Stiner, 22, and Michael Ray Morris, 29, both from Pasadena, Texas, were booked Monday for gunning down Jayachandra Elaprolu inside the convenience store in the town where he was working part time, the Houston Chronicle reported.

Elaprolu, from Vijayawada city of Andhra Pradesh, was living in the Seabrook area, a relative said. His remains will be sent home, with the help of the Indian Consulate in Houston, the report said.

Elaprolu, who was shot five times Saturday, was pursuing Masters in computer engineering at the University of Houston-Clear Lake.

Police said Stiner surrendered and took investigators to the Conroe area, where he said he would recover the mask he used in the violent “blitz” robbery, executed in 20 seconds. He also promised to get the $400 he stole from the store till.

The other accused, Morris, said he was a customer in the store when the crime was committed, police said. He complained to police and a local TV channel that he was wrongly implicated in the shooting, much of which was captured on surveillance video.

But police believe Morris acted as a scout who twice went inside the store to scope out the scene, said Bud Corbett, assistant police chief in Pasadena.

Officials said Morris, who police said is a friend of Stiner, went into the store the first time and made a purchase. He returned, obtained change from Elaprolu, and exited again.

Police said Stiner, wearing a mask and carrying a semi-automatic pistol, then entered the store and immediately opened fire, striking Elaprolu at least five times as he tried to retreat to a back room. Stiner fled, carrying the lightweight cash till, police said.

Elaprolu was wounded in the stomach, liver, upper torso, intestine and heart. He died on the spot.