Indian-Americans raise $100,000 for man who tried to stop racist Kansas bar shooter

‘Ian Grillot is a man who reminds us of the promise of America and its greatness’

The man hailed as a hero for trying to stop a Kansas shooter after he killed an Indian man in a bar has been awarded $100,000 (£80,300) by the Indian-American community for his bravery.

Ian Grillot, 24, was shot and injured when he tried to intervene in the attack in which Srinivas Kuchibhotla was shot and killed and Alok Madasani was shot and injured in Austin’s Bar and Grill in Olathe, Kansas, last month.

The pair were allegedly told to “get out of my country” by 51-year-old Adam Purinton before opening fire on the men. Mr Grillot attempted to intervene and chased after Purinton but was shot and injured.

India House, which acts as a community centre for members of the Indian-American community in Houston, raised $100,000 for Mr Grillot in the space of a week.

The money, which was presented to Mr Grillot at India House Houston’s annual gala, is intended to buy him a house in his hometown in Kansas.

Jiten Agarwal, who chairs the annual gala, said at the event: “It is not every day that one meets a genuine hero – a person who risks his life for another, and takes a bullet for a complete stranger.

“Ian Grillot is a man who reminds us of the promise of America and its greatness,” he said.

Mr Grillot, who was the guest of honour at the event, expressed his thanks to the community and said he would not have been able to live with himself if he had not intervened.

“I don’t know if I could’ve lived with myself if I wouldn’t have stopped or attempted to stop the shooter because that would’ve been completely devastating,” he said.

“I do now have a very powerful message and if I can help empower people and spread hope and love, then why not? I am honoured to be at India House that serves so many families from so many communities in the Houston area.”