On January 16, 2024, Vivek Saini, an Indian national pursuing an MBA in the US, was tragically killed by a homeless man in Lithonia, Georgia, NDTV reported.
Trigger Warning: This article contains graphic details of a violent incident. Reader discretion is advised.
In a widely circulated video of the incident on various social media platforms, including X, a 25-year-old man named Vivek Saini is seen being attacked by a homeless person named Julian Volker. The assailant, who is said to be a drug addict, was seen using a hammer to inflict fatal injuries on Vivek Saini, leading to his untimely death.
It was revealed from crime scene surveillance footage that the tragic incident occurred at Chevron Food Mart, a convenience store located at the intersection of Snapfinger and Cleveland Road in Lithonia, late Monday night.
Nearly two weeks after the horrific incident, the news has received enough attention online that netizens have reacted in shock and disbelief. Reacting to the incident, the official
'Sometimes charity doesn't pay off': Video of Vivek Saini being beaten to death sparks online outrage
MBA student Vivek Saini worked part-time as a clerk at a convenience store in Lithona, providing shelter to homeless drug addict Julian Faulkner. According to NDTV, the 25-year-old Indian national showed “kindness” to his killer and helped him with food (potato chips), drinking water and a jacket to keep him warm.
Unfortunately, on the night of January 16, Saini found himself in a painful situation when he refused to offer Volker “free food.” According to Live Mint, the man warned the homeless man to leave the building and told him to call the police. During this confrontation, the latter responded with a hammer and continued to beat Vivek. The news agency also reported that the deadly attack took place before Vivek Saini left for his residence in the US.
CCTV footage of the horrific incident has now gone viral online and sparked mass outrage on X. While some are demanding justice for Saini, others are seeking protests from Indians in the USA. Here are some reactions to @KhuttanGuru's tweet.
Lithona Police responded to the 911 call and arrived at the scene within minutes. However, by then, Vivek was dead, his bleeding body lying on the ground. Volker was standing over Saini's body and was later taken into custody. The matter is currently under investigation.
NDTV reported that Saini was beaten nearly 50 times on the head and face and suffered several blunt force trauma. According to a tweet by the Consulate General of India in Atlanta, the victim's family was contacted immediately after the incident and received “all consular assistance”, including making necessary arrangements to return his body to India.
Vivek Saini, a native of Bhagwanpur village in Panchkula, Haryana, lost his life just 10 days before he left for his country on January 26, 2024, for a short vacation. He was the son of Gurjit Singh and Lalita Saini. Vivek went to the USA to do his MBA two years ago and was a “top student” who was looking for a “good job” in the US, Live Mint reported.
