Random Bus Tragedy as Man Fatally Stabbed During Evening Commute in Austin

An ordinary bus ride through Austin turned into a nightmare when a man was brutally stabbed to death in what authorities describe as an unprovoked and deeply unsettling attack.

The incident occurred on the evening of May 14, around 6:45 p.m., on a CapMetro bus traveling along South Lamar Boulevard. Witnesses described a terrifying scene as emergency services rushed to the area following a report of a stabbing onboard.

When first responders arrived, they found a man—later identified as Akshay Gupta—suffering from severe trauma. Despite efforts to save him, Gupta tragically succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

Investigators determined that the suspect, 31-year-old Deepak Kandel, had been sitting next to Gupta on the bus when he suddenly and without warning stabbed him in the neck. Passengers were stunned, many unaware of what had happened until the bus came to a halt and Kandel exited with the crowd.

Police quickly tracked down and arrested Kandel shortly after the incident. In a chilling admission, Kandel allegedly told investigators he stabbed Gupta because he believed he resembled his uncle.

Kandel has since been charged with murder and is being held in the Travis County Jail.

The shocking attack has left many in the community shaken, especially as it occurred in a public space where people typically feel safe. Public transportation users are now grappling with the reality that such unpredictable violence can happen even in familiar settings.

Officials continue to investigate the case, working to understand more about the suspect’s background and mental state. Meanwhile, Gupta’s family and friends are left mourning the sudden and senseless loss of a loved one whose life ended far too soon.

The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of how a moment of inexplicable violence can tear through the everyday rhythm of city life, leaving devastation in its wake.