Shekhar Chapagai, a 30-year-old Bhutanese American man, tragically lost his life in a mass shooting at KDC/One, a cosmetics manufacturing and warehouse facility in New Albany, Ohio. Chapagai, who was the youngest of 11 siblings, had built a life in the Columbus area since 2016. He was a devoted husband and father, expecting his second child at the time of his death. His wife, Muna Baniya, described him as a man full of laughter, love, and generosity, emphasizing the deep void his passing has left in their family.
The shooting occurred on the evening of February 4, 2025, and resulted in multiple casualties. Chapagai succumbed to his injuries late Wednesday at Mount Carmel East Hospital. Another victim, 38-year-old Kyle Vaver of Pickerington, was pronounced dead at the scene. Four others sustained injuries in the attack. The incident has deeply affected the Bhutanese American community, with local leaders calling for increased workplace safety measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Authorities swiftly identified and arrested the suspect, Bruce Reginald Foster III, an employee at KDC/One. Foster has been charged with aggravated murder, and prosecutors have indicated that additional charges will be filed against him. During his arraignment in Licking County, his bond was set at $20 million. The investigation into the shooting continues, with officials working to determine the motive behind the attack. Chapagai’s family and community members are mourning his loss while advocating for justice and safety reforms in workplaces across the region.
