Alton, Texas — A 19-year-old college student is behind bars after allegedly opening fire inside his own family home, killing his father, mother and elderly grandmother just days before Father’s Day, while his brother narrowly escaped being shot.
Gaurav Chopra faces charges of capital murder of multiple persons in connection with the deaths of his father Sweeta Ram, 56, his mother Kamlesh Rani, 46, and his grandmother Minder Kaur, 73. An additional charge of attempted capital murder has been filed for the alleged shooting attempt on his brother.
Hidalgo County Sheriff J.E. “Eddie” Guerra said deputies responded shortly after 9 p.m. Tuesday to a home on the 3700 block of Roosevelt Avenue in Alton, located in southeast Texas. The call came from Chopra’s brother, who reported that Chopra had killed the family and attempted to shoot him as well.
Chopra allegedly fled the scene in a white Lexus. A deputy spotted the vehicle leaving the gated subdivision, prompting a chase that ended when Chopra crashed into two other cars. He was taken into custody at the scene. A 9mm handgun, believed to be the murder weapon, was recovered from inside the vehicle.
Deputies arriving at the home discovered all three victims on the second floor, each suffering from gunshot wounds to the head. Rani and Kaur were pronounced dead at the scene. Ram was transported to a hospital, where he later died.
Investigators have not yet determined a motive.
Ram was widely respected in the local community, known for owning a motel and event center and for generously hosting community celebrations. Palmview Mayor Rick Villarreal described him as a positive, giving man who never declined a request to help.
Chopra, a student at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, remains held in Hidalgo County Jail without bond. His next scheduled court appearance has not been confirmed.
