Thread by @BBCRajiniV

BREAKING - The man who killed Indian engineer Srinivas Kutchibhotla and injured two others in Kansas last year has pleaded guilty to federal hate crimes. The story remains one of the most moving I've ever covered. #Olathe #Kansas.

On an evening in February in 2017, two Indian engineers were having a drink at a sports bar in #Olathe, when Adam Purinton saw them. “Did you see the terrorists on the patio?” he told another patron at the bar.

A few weeks later, on Feb 22nd, he saw them again at the same bar. He asked them where they were from, and how they entered the country, calling one of them a terrorist. He then yelled - “Get out of my country!”. #Olathe.

Another patron at the bar @IanGrillot intervened and told Purtinton he needed to leave, and escorted him out of the bar.

Purinton left the bar, went home and got his gun. He also changed into a different shirt. He returned to the bar and opened fire, striking Alok Madasani and Srinivas Kutchibhotla. Srinivas Kutchibhotla died from his injuries.

I was the first journalist to interview Srinivas's widow, Sunayana just days after it happened. I also interviewed Alok Madasani, who survived.

This video of their accounts of that evening, still gives me chills.

bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-…

#Olathe.

Srinivas' widow Sunayana said her husband had felt more scared about being an immigrant in the US after the 2016 election. Video here:

bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-…

#Olathe #Kansas

Ian Grillot, was the bystander who stepped in to try and save Srinivas. bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-…

Adam Purinton admitted he shot Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani, attempting to kill both men, because of their race, color, religion, and national origin. #Olathe #Kansas

Purinton faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole - the sentence the prosecution and defense are jointly requesting. His sentencing is scheduled for July 2.

Act Ass Att Genl Jesse Panuccio:“While we cannot ameliorate the irreparable harm to the victims and their families, we hope that securing this guilty plea brings them some measure of closure...this prosecution sends a message across the nation: hate crimes will not be tolerated.”

“Although Purinton has already been convicted of murder in the State of Kansas, and sentenced to life in prison, today’s plea in federal court speaks to his motive,” - FBI Kansas City Special Agent in Charge, Darrin Jones.