A 21-year-old Indian-American honor student, weeks away from graduating and starting her career, was among three people killed in a mass shooting in Austin, Texas. Savitha Shan, reported to be a brilliant and deeply committed student, died in an attack that authorities are investigating as a possible act of terrorism.The shooting happened around 2 a.m. Sunday outside Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden, a bar popular with college-age patrons in Austin’s 6th Street Entertainment District, near the University of Texas at Austin campus.
Who was Savitha Shan?
Savitha Chan was an honors student at the University of Texas at Austin. According to university records, her legal last name was Shanmugasundaram.
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She studied at McCombs Business School and received a double major with honors.
She was scheduled to graduate in May and has already secured a position at a major professional services firm.Professor Ross Finney of the University of Texas at Austin wrote on X that she was one of the “outstanding students.” He said she was actively involved in student organizations and described her as “a light in the classroom.” He described her loss as “absolutely overwhelming.”
Greetings from campus
The university confirmed her identity, and President Jim Davis wrote to the campus community describing her as “a child of loving parents.
A loyal friend to many. Long centuries poised to change the world.”Professor Finney also noted that the site on 6th Street, the westernmost part of Congress toward Lamar, is considered safe by students. He said other students remained in the hospital in very serious condition, and described it as an extremely difficult week for the university community, the families involved and Austin as a whole.Savitha Shan is remembered not only for her academic achievements but also for the promise she carried. With weeks away from graduation and her career ready to begin, her loss has left a deep void in the university community.
