This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.
Paid Content

Kansas Shooting Hero Who Tried To Stop Hate Crime Gets Incredible Reward

Kansas Shooting Hero Who Tried To Stop Hate Crime Gets Incredible Reward

A man who intervened in a bar shooting is getting a big “thank you” for his heroic efforts.

On Feb. 22, Ian Grillot, 24, was shot in the hand and chest while trying to stop a gunman who shot two Indian men in a bar in Olathe, Kansas. Alok Madasani, who was wounded, and Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was killed, were engineers with navigation device maker Garmin Ltd.

At least one bystander told the Kansas City Star in February that the gunman shouted “get out of my country” before shooting the victims he reportedly thought were Middle Eastern.

Grillot hid behind a table and counted the gunshots, then pursued the gunman when he thought he was out of bullets. Unfortunately, he miscounted.

On March 25, an Indian community center in Houston invited Grillot to a formal gala to honor his selfless act. But Grillot had no idea the group would also award him a $100,000 check it had raised to help him buy a home, the Kansas City Star reports.

“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,” Jiten Agarwal, chair of India House Houston’s annual gala said in a press release. “Ian Grillot is a man who reminds us of the promise of America and its greatness.”

The idea to raise money for Grillot began when Charlie Yalamanchili, an India House trustee, proposed the group buy him a house. He then offered to match every dollar raised by India House members.

“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,” said Grillot in the release. “I do now have a very powerful message and if I can help empower people and spread hope and love, then why not?”

He added, “I am honored to be at India House that serves so many families from so many communities in the Houston area.”

Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin, Tom Hanks, Tracy Morgan, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Michael Moore, Padma Lakshmi and a whole host of other stars are teaming up for Stand for Rights: A Benefit for the ACLU. Donate now and join us at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, March 31, on Facebook Live. #standforrights2017

Close
This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.