The Star’s coverage of the Austins Bar & Grill shooting
The Star’s coverage of the Austins Bar & Grill shooting
The Kansas City Star StaffGunfire shattered an otherwise normal Wednesday evening at Austins Bar & Grill in Olathe. Racial slurs reportedly preceded the violence.
The Star has dedicated extensive coverage to the shooting, allegedly perpetrated by Adam W. Purinton, and the tragic aftermath that followed with the death of Srinivas Kuchibhotla and hospitalization of Alok Madasani and Ian Grillot.
Witness accounts raised speculation that the shooting was racially motivated. Two of the victims are of Indian descent, and the shooter reportedly yelled, “Get out of my country,” before opening fire.
On Tuesday, five days after the triple shooting, the FBI announced it was investigating the incident as a hate crime. Shortly after the announcement, President Trump condemned the attack. Some had criticized him for not speaking out more quickly.
The aftermath of a tragedy
Arcs of two lives intersect in tragedy at Austins bar in Olathe
In the wake of the shooting, those who know the accused and the victims are left puzzling over a reason.
Read the storyOlathe attack is a hate crime, but not likely domestic terrorism, expert says
A national terrorism expert said that federal authorities are following the right path by investigating the Olathe shooting as a hate crime.
Read the storyIn wake of Olathe shooting, terrorism-themed mailers come under scrutiny
The Council on American-Islamic Relations said the mailer “verges on incitement of violence to Muslims.
Read the storyIan Grillot, survivor of Olathe shooting, is released from hospital
“He has been through many hurdles since the shooting,” a hospital statement said.
Read the storyWidow of Olathe shooting victim says she’ll return to Kansas, thanks Ian Grillot
In heartfelt message, Sunayana Dumala writes of the void left by the loss of her husband, Srinivas Kuchibhotla.
Read the storyWhite House condemns Olathe shooting after FBI announces hate crime investigation
The condemnation comes six days after the crime, a delay many had criticized.
Read the storyOlathe shooting victim Srinivas Kuchibhotla mourned at funeral in India
Madhusudhan Rao performed cremation rituals around the funeral pyre of his son Srinivas Kuchibhotla.
Read the storyIndian relatives of Olathe shooting victims: Don’t send your children to America
A family of one victim said anti-immigrant rhetoric encouraged by President Donald Trump created a dangerous environment.
Read the storyMessage of love delivered during vigil for Olathe shooting victims
“I was in Colorado, but my heart was in Olathe,” said Pastor Derek Varney.
Read the storyWidow of Olathe shooting victim: ‘I need an answer’ on how U.S. stops hate crimes
Kuchibhotla’s widow, Sunayana Dumala, discussed rising anti-immigrant sentiments with her husband before his death, asking him, “Are we doing the right thing of staying in the United States of America?”
Read the storyFor two friends, Olathe shooting turns American happiness to horror
Kuchibhotla and Madasani, who was injured in the shooting, shared similar American aspirations -- one dream now over, one forever altered.
Read the storyOlathe shooting scanner traffic: Minute by minute, a desperate manhunt unfolds
“He’s on foot in the area?” “Affirmative.”
Read the storyOlathe Mayor Mike Copeland: ‘No act of evil will divide us’
The mayor said the shooting “showed out strength is our different origins, melded into this compassionate, inclusive and united community.”
Read the storyGov. Sam Brownback meets with Indian diplomat after Olathe shooting
“The hateful actions of one man don’t define us-KS welcomes & supports Indian community,” Brownback said in a tweet.
Read the storyIndian diplomat tells Olathe shooting hero his actions will be forever remembered
“India salutes the heroism of Ian Grillot,” the diplomat, Sushma Swaraj, tweeted.
Read the storyGrief counseling helpline offered in wake of Olathe shootings
A telephone line offered to guide those hurting after the shooting to the appropriate care.
Read the storyEditorial: To be truly great, America must be kind
The most important contribution we could make in the face of this unacceptable loss might be to soften our hearts, The Star’s editorial board wrote.
Read the story$1 million and counting: GoFundMe donors step up for Olathe shooting victims
The donations have poured in for the victims of the possible hate crime.
Read the storyHero wounded in shooting at Austins Bar & Grill continues to improve, hospital says
“It is hard to describe how sore I feel.”
Read the storyWounded Garmin engineer speaks at vigil, remembers his best friend
“I wish it was a dream,” Alok Madasani said of the attack.
Read the storyHillary Clinton calls on Trump to speak out on hate crimes after Olathe shooting
“He must step up and speak out,” Clinton wrote on Twitter.
Read the storyEditorial: Trump’s silence on deadly Olathe shooting is disquieting
The Star’s editorial board writes that people look to the president for strength and guidance.
Read the storyTroubled man, typical neighbor: Suspect’s cul-de-sac reeling after Olathe shooting
Community members recount life in the same neighborhood as the alleged shooter.
Read the storyOlathe shooting suspect appears in court
The FBI is conducting its own investigation of the possible hate crime.
Read the storyTwo victims of Olathe Austins shooting worked in aviation at Garmin
The company released a statement, expressing condolences and devastation after the shooting.
Read the storyWitness writes first-person account of Olathe shooting aftermath
Tim Hibbard had just sat down at Austins and ordered some nachos when gunshots rang out.
Read the storyOlathe shooting victim Ian Grillot hopes Trump mentions incident in address
“It would be nice for some kind of closure,” Ian Grillot said.
Read the storyIndia’s foreign minister vows to help family of Olathe slaying victim
Sushma Swaraj expressed dismay after learning of the shooting.
Read the storyEarly coverage: Racial slurs, then violence
First-degree murder charge filed in possible hate crime shooting
A 51-year-old Olathe man was charged Thursday with premeditated first-degree murder.
Read the story
Inside Austins, a busy night until racial slurs, gunshots shatter peace
The suspect reportedly yelled at two victims to “get out of my country.”
Read the storySuspect in custody after shooting at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe leaves one dead, two injured
Following gunshots, a manhunt ensued.
Read the story
‘His personality was exceptional’: Former manager remembers victim
“He was very sharp. A top-of-his-class kind of guy,’ recalled a hiring manager.
Read the story‘It wasn’t right,’ says man who tried to stop shooter
When Ian Grillot thought the gunman was out of bullets, he jumped up to pursue him.
Read the storyDoctors order quiet period for Olathe shooting hero
Ian Grillot is recovering from a single bullet that pierced his hand and chest.
Read the storyAustins bar reopens for busines
The bar in south Olathe had been closed to give patrons and staff time to recover.
Read the storyThis story was originally published February 24, 2017 at 1:55 PM with the headline "The Star’s coverage of the Austins Bar & Grill shooting."