(Trigger Warning: Mentions of physical violence. Reader discretion advised)
Twenty-five-year-old Vivek Saini was all set to return to his native village in Haryana's Panchkula on 23 January to surprise his parents and cousins – his first visit to India since he moved to the United States to complete his post-graduation two years ago.
But a week before his departure, Saini, a management graduate, was hammered to death, allegedly by a homeless drug addict, at a department store in Georgia's Lithonia city on 16 January, where he worked part-time.
"He was so excited to come back home and had purchased gifts for all of us. His plan was to reach Delhi on 23 January and travel to our village the same day. Only I was aware of his plans. Little did I know that this surprise would turn into a nightmare for our family and that that he would return to us lifeless..." Vivek Saini's 23-year-old brother, who did not wish to be named, told The Quint over a phone call on Thursday, 1 February.
In the CCTV footage, the arrested accused, identified as 53-year-old Julian Faulkner, is seen striking Vivek nearly 50 times on the head with a hammer.
What Happened on the Night of 16 January?
Originally from Bhagwanpura in Panchkula, Vivek Saini was the second of three siblings. His father is a farmer who owns around 20 acres of land in the village and his mother is a homemaker. While his sister is married and settled in New Zealand, his younger brother completed his graduation recently.
Recounting the fateful night, Vivek's brother told The Quint that he was the first to receive news about his death.
"I had spoken to Vivek on 15 January when he told me that he bought us all gifts. He also spoke to my elder sister, who was also planning a visit to India around the same time. But a day later, I got a call from his roommate conveying the news. I also happened to watch the CCTV footage of what had happened. I couldn't get through the entire video. I deleted it midway... it was too disturbing. How can someone be so inhuman and hit someone like that?"Vivek Saini's brother to The Quint
According to local media reports, Faulkner was given shelter at the store by its employees, including Vivek.
"He asked us for chips and Coke. We gave him everything, including water... he was sitting here all the time and we never asked him to get out because we know that it's cold," an employee at the Chevron Food Mart, where Vivek worked, told WSB-TV Atlanta.
But two days later, on 16 January, Faulkner allegedly got enraged when Vivek asked him to leave the store. "He asked him to leave or else he was going to call the cops, he had been there for two days," the employee told the news channel.
According to the police, Faulkner attacked Vivek with a hammer when the latter was about to head home. "He hit him from the back then he kept on hitting for almost 50 times on the face on the head," the employee said.
When police arrived, they found Faulkner standing over Saini's body, local media reported.
In a tweet on X (formerly Twitter), India's Consulate General in Atlanta said:
"We are deeply anguished by the terrifying, brutal, & heinous incident that led to the death of Indian national/student Mr Vivek Saini & condemn the attack in the strongest terms. It is understood that the US authorities have arrested the accused & are investigating the case [sic]."
On 23 January, Vivek's body was brought home by a cousin who also stays in Lithonia, the brother said.
'He Was Kind & Cheerful... Dreamt of Starting a Business'
After finishing school, Vivek did his BTech in Computer Science from Chandigarh University. According to his brother, Vivek made a sudden plan to pursue his MBA in the US and left to study at Alabama University.
"He was an extremely happy, kind, and intelligent person. He wanted to start a business here, which is why he felt an MBA would help him in his career. He was a topper in Chandigarh University and also secured medals in Alabama University. After he graduated in 2023, he took up a job and was doing well. He told us that he was also working part-time at a local store nearby."Vivek Saini's brother to The Quint
According to Vivek's brother, his family is "devastated, shocked, and inconsolable."
"I actually did not tell my mother till 23rd [January] as to what happened to Vivek. We only said that he had an accident and was hurt. Once the body arrived in India on 23 January, we told her. She was distraught. My family is devastated. There are no words to explain our pain. How can I possibly explain?"Vivek Saini's brother to The Quint
He said wants justice for what happened to his brother.
"We can't get our brother back, but I want to ensure that this does not happen to anyone else. There are so many Indians living abroad. The accused should get strict punishment, so this does not happen to anyone else again," he said.
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