Indian student in US accidentally shoots himself during birthday celebration

23-year-old Aryan Reddy from Telangana died on his birthday after accidentally shooting himself while cleaning a hunting gun.

A 23-year-old Indian student, Aryan Reddy, died in a tragic accident on November 13 while celebrating his birthday in Atlanta, Georgia. Reddy, a Master of Science student at Kansas State University, accidentally misfired a hunting gun he had recently purchased while cleaning it during the celebration. Hailing from Sairam Nagar in Telangana, he recently acquired a hunting gun license in the U.S. according to NDTV.

Aryan Reddy from Telangana died on his birthday after accidentally shooting himself while cleaning a hunting gun.(Pic- X (Twitter))

Telangana student dies after gun misfires during birthday celebration

Aryan tragically lost his life after accidentally discharging his newly purchased hunting rifle while cleaning it, according to NDTV. Upon hearing the gunshot, his friends rushed to the room and found him lying in a pool of blood, officials said.

They immediately took him to a nearby hospital, but he was declared dead. The gunshot struck his chest, and despite their quick action, he could not be saved. Originally from Telangana’s Bhuvanagiri district, Reddy’s family now resides in Uppal. His grieving family awaits the return of his body, which officials have confirmed will be flown to his hometown later tonight.

Speaking out about the tragedy, Aryan’s father, Sudarshan Reddy, urged parents to be mindful of the dangers associated with students owning firearms abroad, emphasising that no family should endure such a heartbreaking experience, reports FPJ.

Gun Violence in America: Efforts and ongoing debates

Gun violence continues to spark heated debates in the United States, with concerns over public safety driving calls for stricter gun control measures. Proposals such as mandatory training, storage laws, and strict background checks are at the forefront of discussions to curb firearm-related incidents.

In September, the Biden-Harris administration took a big step by signaling an executive order aimed at addressing gun violence. This directive includes the creation of an "Emerging Firearms Threats Task Force," designed to combat machine-gun conversion devices and untraceable, 3D-printed firearms.

Additionally, it mandates federal agencies to provide schools with guidance on active shooter drills, ensuring they minimise psychological harm to students.

“To talk about reducing crime and violence in America, you need to talk about guns in America,” Biden said during a press conference in Washington. “There’s so much more we have to do. I think it’s time to reinstate the assault weapons ban and high-capacity magazines," he added.

“The aim is to help schools improve drills so they can more effectively prepare for an active shooter situation while also preventing or minimising any trauma that may result from drills that are poorly implemented,” the director of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, Stef Feldman added.