2nd November 2023, Mumbai: P Varun Raj, the 24-year-old Indian student attacked at an Indiana fitness center, remains in critical condition, supported by life-saving measures, according to sources familiar with his treatment.
Raj, a Computer Science student, was assaulted by 24-year-old Jordan Andrade with a knife at the gym on Sunday. The reasons behind the attack are still under investigation by authorities.
“After three days of treatment, Varun continues to be on life support and has severe neurological impairment. He is likely to sustain permanent disability and have partial, if not complete, vision loss and left-side weakness,” sources provide information to PTI.
After the incident, the assailant, 24-year-old Jordan Andrade, was apprehended and is now charged with aggravated battery using a deadly weapon and attempted murder.
Due to the severity of Varun’s injuries, he has been transferred to Lutheran Hospital in Fort
Wayne.
Meanwhile, the assailant, Andrade, entered a plea of not guilty for the Level 1 felony and Level 3 felony charges before Judge Jeffrey Clymer at Porter Superior Court.
The judge set a bond of $500,000 cash and $500,000 surety, although Andrade claimed he could afford a $300,000 bond.
The judge, considering him a flight risk, upheld the higher bond.
The university president expressed deep shock and concern regarding the brutal attack on one of its students.
“We are shocked and saddened by the attack on Varun Raj. At Valparaiso University, we consider each other family, and this incident is horrifying for us all. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of his friends and family,” José Padilla, the university’s president, mentioned in a statement provided to the Post-Tribune on Wednesday.
“In addition to our thoughts and prayers, the University and Valpo Community are offering all assistance and resources available to help Varun’s family get to the United States as quickly as possible,” Michael Fenton stated in an email to the Chicago Tribune that the university is offering complete assistance to the ongoing investigation conducted by the Valparaiso Police Department.
The North American Telugu Society (NATS) initiated a fundraising campaign on GoFund, and by Wednesday night, they had collected more than $38,000.
“Currently, he is in critical condition, battling for his life in a coma, and his family is facing a harrowing journey filled with uncertainty and overwhelming medical bills. We were contacted by the family with a heavy heart, asking for our support to cover his extensive medical expenses and travel expenses for his parents to the USA,” NATS said.
By Vaishnavi Rastogi