Austin Bus Stabbing: Suspect Arrested, Victim Identified

Austin Homicide: Unprovoked Stabbing on City Bus On Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at approximately 6:45 p.m., the life of Akshay Gupta, a 24-year-old Asian male, tragically ended on a CapMetro bus in the 500 block of South Lamar Boulevard, Austin, Texas. The incident unfolded swiftly and without apparent provocation. According to Austin Police Department (APD) reports, officers responded to a "Shoot/Stab Hotshot" call – a high-priority emergency alert. Upon arrival, they found Mr. Gupta with life-threatening injuries. Despite life-saving measures, he was pronounced dead at the scene around 7:30 p.m. Deepak Kandel, a 31-year-old Asian male, was identified as the suspect and quickly apprehended. He was located at a nearby business shortly after the incident. In a statement to police, Kandel confessed to stabbing Mr. Gupta, claiming he acted without provocation because the victim resembled his uncle. Kandel has been booked into the Travis County Jail and charged with first-degree murder. "The investigation showed no provocation," stated an APD spokesperson. "Mr. Kandel simply stabbed Mr. Gupta in the neck and then left the scene." The bus was stopped, allowing passengers to safely disembark. This incident marks Austin's 25th homicide of 2025, underscoring the city's ongoing struggle with violent crime. The APD is urging anyone with information to contact the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program.