Kansas Racial Shooting: GoFundMe Donations Top $1M

Three GoFundMe campaigns were initiated to help the victims of an apparently racially motivated shooting that took place Wednesday, and the total donated has exceeded $1.14 million as of Monday. Contributors from 50 states and 25 countries have donated to help the victims and their families.

The bullets that killed one Indian man and injured another were allegedly accompanied by shouts to "get out of my country," police said. A third man was injured in an attempt to stop the attacker.

Police said they arrested the accused gunman, Adam Purinton, in Clinton, Missouri, after he fled the scene on foot. Purinton is charged with one count of premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of attempted premeditated first-degree murder, according to the Henry County District Attorney's office. The FBI is investigating whether the shooting was a hate crime.

The campaign to help the late Srinivas Kuchibotla’s family was initiated by his friends with a goal of gathering $150,000. The description reads, “[Srinivas’] wife, Sunayana, and his family are now faced with incredible grief and a multitude of expenses…This includes the very expensive process of carrying his mortal remains back to India, so his parents can say goodbye one last time to their beloved son.” The donations have reached $650,000 – more than quadruple the initial goal - since the campaign began on Feb. 23.

Purinton, 51, appeared before the Johnson County Courthouse on Monday afternoon via a live video feed set up in the New Century Detention Center, where the attacker is currently being held. He requested that the court appoint him legal counsel. The court assigned public defender Michael McCulloch to Purinton's case and set the next court date for March 9.

Brian Eric Ford, who had no personal relationship to the victims, started a second campaign to help both the Kuchibotla and the Madasani families. Ford launched the campaign with words condemning racism: “Let's send a message that we will support those who are targeted -- and stand against all who wish to spread hate -- by raising funds to help the victims of this horrendous act of senseless violence.” The campaign has now acquired $92,000 out of the $100,000 that it aims for.

Ian Grillot was hit in the arm and chest as he tried to stop the gunman. “Ian found himself in the wrong place trying to be a helping hand. Ian stood up for two people being mistreated by a man who was in the wrong,” reads the description for the campaign initiated by his sisters. The campaign has exceeded its goal of $300,000 and has reached $400,000 since it began on Feb. 23.

The campaigns have accumulated praises from contributors. Gary Baker commented: “This is so awesome. We all wish it was unnecessary of course; but to everyone who donated, this is proof positive that love and acceptance of ALL people will always win over racism and hatred.”

Photo: GoFundMe