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The American who was injured while intervening in the shooting that killed an Indian and injured another in an apparent hate crime in the United States has said he was more than happy to risk his life to save others’ lives.
In a video posted on the University of Kansas Health System’s YouTube page, 24-year-old Ian Grillot said, “I was more than happy to risk my life to save the lives of others, there were families, there were kids inside there were boys watching a basketball game”.
“I couldn’t stand there. I had to do something. That is why I acted the way I did,” the construction worker said.
The hospital said Grillot continues to improve after being shot in the hand and chest while watching basketball with friends at an Olathe, Kansas City bar and grill on Wednesday evening.
“This weekend has been tough. I did get my chest-tube out and that feels much better, but it is hard to describe how sore I feel,” he said.
Grillot and his family said it is also difficult to put into words how grateful they are for the outpouring of community support.
He said the support of the community and strangers has renewed his faith in people and makes it easier for him to concentrate on getting well.
Grillot is doing well, but will remain in the hospital for a long while, doctors said, adding that the road to recovery ahead for Grillot is long.
Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed and Alok Madasani, of the same age, was injured in the shooting by 51-year-old US navy veteran Adam Purinton screaming racial slurs and telling them to “get out of my country” and “terrorist”. He reportedly mistook them for immigrants from the Middle East.
Hundreds of people, holding placards that called for peace and unity, on Sunday took part in a prayer vigil in Kansas City to celebrate the life of Srinivas, tragically cut short by the shooter. Grillot’s sisters also joined the vigil.
There has been an outpouring of support and fundraisers have been held for the victims.
Less than a week after the tragedy, thousands of strangers from around the world have opened up their wallets to comfort the victims’ families. More than $1 million has been raised in donations.
Srinivas worked at GPS-maker Garmin headquarters in Olathe. Srinivas and his colleague Alok hailed from Hyderabad and Warangal respectively.
The shooter, Purinton, was charged Thursday with first-degree murder. He was also charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder in the shootings of Alok and Grillot.
Swaraj hails American's heroism
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj wished a speedy recovery to the American, who was injured while intervening in the shooting that killed an Indian engineer in the US, and said India salutes his heroism.
"India salutes the heroism of Ian Grillot! Best wishes for a speedy recovery," Swaraj tweeted.