Aishwarya Thatikonda killed in Allen outlet mall shooting, family rep confirms
ALLEN (CBSNewsTexas.com) — A 26-year-old woman from India was among the victims killed in Saturday's shooting at the Allen Premium Outlets.
Aishwarya Thatikonda was in the U.S. on a work visa, and was employed at a Frisco-based general contractor.
A civil engineer with a degree in construction management, she had been in the U.S. for five years on a work visa, according to a family representative. She was a project manager for Perfect General Contractors, but her boss said she was like a daughter to him.
She was known as Aish and was famous for her trademark smile, said Srinivas Chaluvadi, her boss.
"She's loved and adored, not because she was killed under tragic circumstances, but because who she is personally," he said. "I do not, my heart does not let me give credit for all of this love and affection for the tragic way that she was killed. This love and affection and respect is not out of sympathy. They truly love her. And I truly love her."
She would have turned 27 on May 18, and his family was planning a birthday party for her. He wanted to buy her an outfit – he believes she was shopping for it Saturday when she was killed.
Ashok Kolla, leader with the Telugu Association of North America, is working to arrange the return of Thatikonda's remains to India.
CBS News Texas is working to confirm the identities of other victims. The FBI is asking anyone with information to call 1-800-CALL-FBI.
