Inset: Gaurav Chopra (Hidalgo County Jail).
Just days before Father’s Day, authorities say a Texas teenager opened fire on his family, killing his father, mother and grandmother before allegedly attempting to shoot his brother and missing.
Gaurav Chopra, 19, has been charged with capital murder of multiple persons in connection with the shooting deaths of his father, Sweeta Ram, 56; his mother, Kamlesh Rani, 46; and his grandmother, Minder Kaur, 73. He also faces an attempted capital murder charge for allegedly firing at his brother.
Hidalgo County Sheriff J.E. “Eddie” Guerra told reporters that deputies were called shortly after 9 p.m. Tuesday to a residence in the 3700 block of Roosevelt Avenue in Alton, a city in southeast Texas.
According to authorities, the 911 caller reported that his brother, Chopra, had “killed his family” and had also tried to shoot him. Investigators said Chopra then left the home in a white Lexus. As law enforcement officers responded, a deputy saw the Lexus driving out of the gated subdivision.
Chopra allegedly refused to stop for the deputy and later crashed into two other vehicles. He was taken into custody after the wreck. Deputies said they found a 9mm handgun inside the Lexus, which they believe was the weapon used in the killings.
Inside the home, deputies found the three victims on the second floor with gunshot wounds to the head. Rani and Kaur were declared dead at the scene, while Ram was transported to a hospital, where he later died.
Guerra said investigators are continuing to work to establish a motive in the case.
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.
