Indian Boston University Graduate Student, Kanagala Seshadri Rao, 24, Shot to Death in Boston’s Student-Dominated, Allston Neighborhood

 
Kanagala Seshadri Rao was murdered on April 19, 2012
 
By Nicholas Stix

“Mysterious,” “isolated”: Those are typical code words used in pathetic attempts to cover up racially motivated murders of whites and Asians, words which inadvertently emphasize the killings’ racist character. The only word missing was “random.”

Allston

This radiant neighborhood is best known for its student population due to its proximity to many colleges and universities. In recent years, an influx of immigrants and young professionals has taken an increasingly active role in the neighborhood. This varied mix of people creates one of the most energetic and diverse populations in Boston. Harvard Avenue, Commonwealth Avenue and Brighton Avenue host many ethnic restaurants and popular watering holes. The Honan-Allston branch public library, named after the late Boston City Councilor Brian Honan, is a treasure of information and genuine resource for the entire community.

City of Boston neighborhood guide

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Slain BU student praised as investigation continues
By John Zaremba
Sunday, April 22, 2012 - Updated 2 days ago

Boston University officials say the graduate student found dead in a mysterious shooting early Thursday was a well-liked member of an elite financial-studies program — leaving them to wonder why someone shot him twice and left him for dead on a residential street in Allston.

Kanagala Seshadri Rao, 24, was “a wonderful student” who beat out some 1,000 international applicants for one of 50 spots in the School of Management’s mathematical-finance program, said the dean of that school, Kenneth Freeman.

“He was all aspects of what one would hope for in a student. He had many friends and was very active in the life of the school,” Freeman said. “He always had a positive, can-do attitude. That endeared him with the students and faculty here.”

But neither Freeman nor Dean of Students Kenneth Elmore would answer questions about the shooting or the school’s role in the investigation. School officials said earlier this week they believe the shooting was an isolated incident.

A Boston police spokesman declined to say whether investigators have a suspect or motive.

Rao was found dead on Allston Street near Glenville Avenue about 2:40 a.m. Thursday. He’d been shot in the leg and head, school officials said.

BU officials said Rao was in his first year of study and came to the United States from India. Indian media reported yesterday that he is the son of a public-sector banker and lived in Jeypore, India, about 160 miles southwest of New Delhi.

An on-campus memorial service is being planned, Freeman said.

-— john.zaremba@bostonherald.com