Case: 25-1341278
 
Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2025
 
Time: 6:45 p.m.
 
Location: 500 block of South Lamar Boulevard
 
Victim (Deceased): Akshay Gupta, Asian male, 12/24/94

Suspect (Arrested): Deepak Kandel, Asian male, 31 years of age

On Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at approximately 6:45 p.m., Austin Police Department (APD) officers and Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services (ATCEMS) responded to a Shoot/Stab Hotshot call in the 500 block of South Lamar Boulevard. The caller advised that someone had been stabbed on a CapMetro bus. When officers arrived on the scene, they located one victim, later identified at Akshay Gupta, with trauma to his body. Life-saving measures were attempted, but unfortunately, Mr. Gupta was pronounced deceased on the scene at 7:30 p.m.
 
Homicide Detectives and Crime Scene Specialists responded to process the scene and interview witnesses. The investigation showed the suspect, later identified as Deepak Kandel had been sitting next to Mr. Gupta on the bus when, without provocation, Kandel stabbed Mr. Gupta in the neck. Once the bus was stopped, Kandel calmly exited the bus with the other passengers and left the scene on foot. APD patrol officers were able to locate and detain Kandel a short time later. Kandel admitted to stabbing Mr. Gupta due to him resembling his uncle.

Kandel was booked into the Travis County Jail and has been charged with 1st Degree Murder.

Anyone needing to retrieve personal property left on the CapMetro bus as a result of this incident is asked to contact CapMetro customer service at 512-474-1200 for instructions.
 
Anyone with information should contact the Austin Police Department at 512-974-TIPS. You may submit your tip anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or calling 512-472-8477. A reward of up to $1,000 may be available for any information that leads to an arrest.

This case is being investigated as Austin's 25th homicide of 2025.