Indian Student in Critical Condition After Stabbing in Indiana Gym – News18

[ad_1]

Last Updated: November 02, 2023, 08:52 IST

Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

Jordan Andrade drove a knife through the head of Indian student Varun inside a massage room of Planet Fitness gym in Valparaiso, Indiana. (Image: Shutterstock/Representative)

Indian student stabbed in Indiana stabbing remains critical; attacker faces charges

A 24-year-old Indian student who was stabbed at a fitness center in the US state of Indiana remains in critical condition and on life support, according to sources familiar with his treatment, as reported by PTI.

P. Varun Raj, a Computer Science student, was stabbed in the temple by the 24-year-old assailant Jordan Andrade at a public gym on Sunday morning. The reasons behind the incident are still under probe. After three days of treatment, Varun continues to require life support and is experiencing severe neurological impairment. He is likely to suffer permanent disability, including partial or complete vision loss and left-sided weakness.

In the aftermath of the attack, the 24-year-old assailant, Jordan Andrade, was arrested and is now facing charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and attempted murder. Due to the severity of Varun’s injuries, he has been transferred to Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne. Meanwhile, Andrade, who appeared before Porter Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Clymer, pleaded not guilty to charges of a Level 1 felony and a Level 3 felony. The judge set his bond at USD 500,000 cash and USD 500,000 surety.

According to The Chicago Tribune, Andrade said he could afford a USD 300,000 bond. The judge deemed Andrade a flight risk. The university president expressed his shock over the brutal attack on one of its students. “We are shocked and saddened by the attack on Varun Raj. At Valparaiso University, we consider each other family, and this incident is horrifying for us all. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of his friends and family,” José Padilla, the university’s president, said in a statement provided to the Post-Tribune on Wednesday.

“In addition to our thoughts and prayers, the University and Valpo Community are offering all assistance and resources available to help Varun’s family get to the United States as quickly as possible,” Michael Fenton said in an email to Chicago Tribune. The North American Telugu Society (NATS) has started a fundraiser on GoFund and by Wednesday night raised over USD38,000.

“Currently, he is in critical condition, battling for his life in a coma, and his family is facing a harrowing journey filled with uncertainty and overwhelming medical bills. We were contacted by the family with a heavy heart, asking for our support to cover his extensive medical expenses and travel expenses for his parents to the USA,” NATS said.

(With agency inputs)