In a devastating incident, Aaditya Adlakha, a 26-year-old Indian doctoral student, lost his life after being shot inside a car in Ohio, USA. The University of Cincinnati Medical School, where Adlakha was pursuing his fourth-year doctoral studies in molecular and developmental biology, described the incident as "sudden, tragic, and senseless."
Aaditya Adlakha succumbed to gunshot wounds earlier this month at the UC Medical Center, as confirmed by the Hamilton County Coroner's Office. The tragic event unfolded on November 9 when Cincinnati Police responded to a vehicle crash on the upper deck of the Western Hills Viaduct. Officers discovered Adlakha shot inside the vehicle, which had crashed into a wall. The ShotSpotter gunfire locator service reported gunshots in the area around 6:20 am.
Despite being transported to UC Medical Center in critical condition, Adlakha's condition worsened, and he was pronounced dead two days later. As of now, no arrests have been made in connection with the shooting.
Senior Vice President of Health Affairs and Dean at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Andrew Filak, expressed condolences, stating, "He was much-loved, exceedingly kind and humorous, intelligent and sharp, whose research was described as novel and transformative. The focus of his work was to better understand neuroimmune communication and how neuroimmune interactions might contribute to pain and the inflammatory landscape in ulcerative colitis."
Adlakha, hailing from north India, pursued his medical education journey in Cincinnati. He earned his bachelor's degree in Zoology from Ramjas College of the University of Delhi in 2018 and later obtained his master's degree in physiology in 2020 from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi.
His vehicle, riddled with multiple bullet holes, indicated the severity of the attack. The shooting, marked by its suddenness and tragedy, has left the university community in shock. Colleagues, friends, and faculty expressed grief over the untimely loss, emphasizing Adlakha's kindness, intelligence, and contributions to groundbreaking research.
"As a college and as Aaditya's academic home, we extend our deepest condolences to his family and to those who knew him as a friend and colleague," conveyed the University of Cincinnati Medical School, as reported by the Cincinnati Enquirer. The incident has raised concerns about the safety and security of students, prompting a reflection on the broader impact of such violence within the academic community.
Also read | Indian doctoral student shot dead in Ohio: Tragic incident stuns university community
