A 21-year-old Nepali student was tragically shot dead in her Houston apartment during a robbery, according to police reports. The suspect, identified as 52-year-old Bobby Sinh Shah, has been arrested. Muna Pandey, a community college student, was discovered with multiple gunshot wounds in her apartment around 5:30 PM on Monday. Her body was found after an anonymous tip led apartment staff to notify the police, who declared her dead at the scene.

Two days later, a CCTV image of Shah leaving her apartment was released by police. He was subsequently arrested at a traffic stop and charged with murder.

Muna Pandey had moved to Houston in 2021 to study at the Houston Community College. Her mother had been trying to contact her for days before her body was found, according to a member of the Nepalese Association of Houston. “Her phone was always online until Saturday night, after which it went offline. She had three gunshot wounds and was found lying on the bed, head down. We hope the investigation reveals how this happened,” the member said, noting that Muna was an only child.

The Nepalese Association is collaborating with the Nepal Consulate to arrange travel for Muna’s mother to Houston. “We are reaching out to the community to help bring Anita to the United States so she can say goodbye to her only child and give Muna the farewell she deserves. The funds raised will cover Muna’s funeral expenses and bring her mother to Houston for the final rituals,” reads the GoFundMe page, which has raised nearly $30,000.