Indian Student Beaten to Death with Hammer by Homeless Man Whom He Gave Food, Shelter

Vivek Saini, an Indian student, who was engaged in part-time work at a convenience store in the US state of Georgia, died in the hands of a homeless man for whom he provided health and shelter for many days.

The homeless man killed the Indian student on January 16. Witnesses told US local news media outlet WSB-TV that Faulkner attacked Vivek with a hammer late at night after he asked him to leave the store.

The reports by the local news media outlet pointed out that Vivek and his coworkers have been feeding homeless Julian. “He asked us for chips and coke. We gave him everything including the water. He asked if I could get a blanket. I said we don’t have blankets so I gave him a jacket. He was walking in and out asking him for cigarettes, water, and everything. He was sitting here all the time and we never asked him to get out because we know that it’s cold,” one of the employees was quoted as saying by WSB-TV.

But on Monday night, Vivek told Julian that he must leave or else he would call the cops. After saying that Vivek was preparing to leave for his home when Julian attacked him with a hammer. “(Faulkner) kept on hitting for almost 50 times on the face on the head,” one of the coworkers said.

Vivek suffered ”severe head trauma” and was pronounced dead at the scene. The DeKalb County police said officers received a call at around midnight about the assault at the Chevron gas station in Lithonia.

Police arrived to find Julian standing over the bloodied body of Vivek with a hammer in his hand. When officers ordered Julian to put down the weapon, he complied and was then arrested and escorted outside to a patrol vehicle. He had two knives and one more hammer, according to Fox News Digital.

Police said they found ”substantial amount of blood spatter” on the floor of the convenience store, according to the Miami Herald. One of Vivek’s coworkers was so petrified that he could hardly speak due to fear.

Vivek migrated to the US two years ago after completing his B Tech and recently earned a Master’s in Business Administration. Faulkner is currently in custody on charges of malice, murder and interference with government property.

The Indian consulate in Atlanta on Tuesday said that it is deeply anguished by the incident that caused the death of Vivek Saini and said it is in touch with the authorities. “We are deeply anguished by the terrifying, brutal, & heinous incident that led to the death of Indian National/student Mr Vivek Saini & condemns attack in the strongest terms. It is understood that the US authorities have arrested the accused and are investigating the case,” the consulate said in a post in X.

The consulate further added that they are in touch with the family and contacted them immediately after the incident and have provided all consular assistance in sending the mortal remains back to India. “The Consulate got in touch with the family of Mr Saini immediately after the incident, provided all consular assistance in sending the mortal remains back to India, and remains in touch with the family,” the Consulate in Atlanta said in a post.