Punjabi woman killed, cousin injured as Jalandhar teen opens fire in US

A 20-year-old woman from Nurmahal in Jalandhar district of Punjab, Jasvir Kaur, was shot dead and her cousin, Gagandeep Kaur, who was staying with her, was seriously injured when a teenager from Punjab, Gaurav Singh Gill, opened fire on them in Cartaret, New Jersey, United States, on Friday.

“Deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death of Ms. Jasvir Kaur and the injuries of Ms. Gagandeep Kaur in a shooting on Roosevelt Av, Cartaret, New Jersey. We extend our sincere condolences to the family of the deceased,” the Consulate General of India in New York posted on X on June 14.

Police arrested 19-year-old Gill, a native of Hussainpur village in Jalandhar district, in connection with the case and charged him with murder and attempt to murder.

It is learned that Gaurav knew Gagandeep ever since they attended IELTS coaching classes together in Jalandhar.

The Middlesex County District Attorney's Office said the defendant broke into Jasvir's New Jersey home and opened fire.

After the shooting, both victims were airlifted to nearby hospitals, where Jasvir succumbed to his injuries.

Authorities have not yet revealed the motive for the crime or Gill's connection to the women.

Jasvir worked at the Amazon premises in Carteret. Her husband is a truck driver and was out of town at the time of the shooting.

Gill was arrested by police after a six-hour search.