A GoFundMe campaign set up by family friend Tanmay Patel has already raised more than twice its $50,000 target. /

Indian American and diaspora organizations have condemned the killing of Chandra Mouli “Bob” Nagamallaiah, a motel employee who was attacked in front of his wife and son.

Authorities said the confrontation began over the use of a broken washing machine at the Downtown Suites motel, escalated when Nagamallaiah asked another employee to translate his instructions, and turned violent when Yordanis Cobos-Martinez retrieved a machete and pursued him until he was left decapitated.

ALSO READ: Indian man brutally beheaded in Dallas motel attack

The broad daylight murder has triggered shock within the Indian American community and prompted a fundraiser that has already collected more than $125,308 at the time of writing.

Lawmaker Ro Khanna describing the incident as "horrific".

Khanna wrote on X, "The brutal beheading of a hardworking Indian American immigrant in front of his wife & son is horrific."

Highlighting that the alleged perpetrator had multiple prior arrests, Khanna added, "The murderer had multiple prior arrests for violent theft & child endangerment & was undocumented. He should not have been free on American streets."
 

The brutal beheading of a hardworking Indian American immigrant in front of his wife & son is horrific. The murderer had multiple prior arrests for violent theft & child endangerment & was undocumented. He should not have been free on American streets. https://t.co/7LDNITCd9Y

— Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) September 12, 2025

Indiaspora, a network of global Indian leaders, said it was “deeply saddened and horrified” to learn of the brutality of the murder. It condemned “such acts of violence in the strongest possible terms” and emphasized that “each person deserves safety and dignity, regardless of identity.”

“The news of his senseless killing weighs heavily on all of us,” the group said in a statement, adding that its “hearts go out especially to his wife and son during this unimaginably painful time.”

Indiaspora's statement on the recent tragedy in Dallas, Texas. pic.twitter.com/5iMp4qIogW

— Indiaspora (@IndiasporaForum) September 12, 2025

Suhag A. Shukla, executive director of the Hindu American Foundation, described the case as a “brutal beheading” carried out by “a repeat offender who was to be removed from our country.”

“Amidst several grotesque murders across America, our community is shaken again … In times like this, we must remember our shared humanity and choose patience and acceptance over violence,” she wrote.

Amidst several grotesque murders across America, our community is shaken again, now by the brutal beheading of Chandra Mouli Nagamallaiah by a repeat offender who was to be removed from our country.

In times like this, we must remember our shared humanity and choose patience…

— Suhag A. Shukla (@SuhagAShukla) September 12, 2025

The Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) also issued a statement, calling the crime “one of the most horrific” to impact a hotel workplace in recent memory. “Our hearts are absolutely broken for the victim’s family, who witnessed this unimaginable act of violence,” AAHOA Chairman Kamalesh (KP) Patel said. 

AAHOA president and CEO Laura Lee Blake added, “Our hotelier community is devastated, and we stand united with our member and their team during this incredibly painful time.”

A GoFundMe campaign set up by family friend Tanmay Patel has already raised more than twice its $50,000 target. The fundraiser states that the money will help cover funeral and memorial expenses, immediate living costs for Nagamallaiah’s wife Nisha and  18-year-old son Gaurav, and his future education. 

The Indian Consulate in Houston has extended condolences and said it is in contact with the family. For many in the Indian American community, the brutality of the killing has revived calls for stronger workplace safety measures and greater protections for immigrant workers in the hospitality industry.

Indian American community leader and former Joe Biden advisor Ajay Bhutoria also expressed shock over the incident. In a statement, he noted that the incident is a "stark reminder of the escalating violence in America, which continues to threaten the safety of our families and neighbors”.

He further said, "I urge law enforcement to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure swift justice. I also call on our leaders to address the root causes of such violence and implement measures to protect all citizens."

Expressing similar sentiments, the National Federation of Indian-American Associations (NFIA) also demanded immediate action and said in a statement, "We urge local and federal law enforcement agencies and politicians/legislators to investigate this crime thoroughly and take immediate corrective and preventive measures to ensure the safety and security of all citizens, particularly small business owners who continue to be vulnerable to such targeted violence."

NFIA also said in its statement that such a "heinous and senseless act of violence has no place in any civilized society”.

NFIA and Bhutoria also expressed solidarity with the Nagamallaiah's family, who witnessed the murder.

In a statement, NFIA said, "Our hearts go out to the victim’s family and the entire community mourning this tragic loss. NFIA stands in solidarity with them during this time of grief and demands that justice be served swiftly."

Bhutoria pledged support to the family and said, "The Indian-American community stands united in mourning this loss and will support Chandra’s family in every possible way."

He continued, "I encourage everyone to come together, reflect on this tragedy, and work toward a safer, more compassionate society."