US national surrenders for killing Indian student in California

A US national surrendered to police and was arrested on charges of killing Indian student Abhishek Sudhesh Bhat, who was shot dead on Thanksgiving Day in San Bernardino, police said.

The suspect, identified as 42-year-old Eric Turner, turned himself in on Saturday, the San Bernardino Police Department said on Sunday.

He has been arrested on charges of killing 25-year-old Sudhesh outside a motel where he was working part-time.

A resident of Mysuru, Abhishek was a student of Masters Degree in computer science at California State University San Bernardino.

He was shot at by Turner outside the motel Thursday afternoon. He was pronounced dead by the police which reached the scene soon after.

The San Bernardino Police Department said the case is being investigated. The reason why Turner shot at Sudesh was not immediately known.

“The suspect was identified and turned himself in to authorities on the morning of Saturday. The motive for the shooting is under investigation,” San Bernardino police Sergeant Albert Tello said in a statement.

Also read | Mysuru student shot dead in US by unknown assailant

Turner is being held without bail and is being scheduled to be produced before a local court on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, friends and family of Sudesh have set up a GoFund page. Till Sunday more than 1,000 people had raised more than USD 39,000.

“The family grieves him deeply,” the fundraising page said.

“He was attacked while he was looking after a motel in his free time on behalf of his friend. The family grieves for him deeply,” it said.

“He had decided to go abroad to study with the only aim and ambition to help and be there for his family. He worked hard day and night to fulfill this dream. He wanted to fund his younger brother Abhishreshtas medical education fees apart from being financially available for everyone in his family,” it said.