Houston Police Release Photo of Suspect in Fatal Shooting of Nepali Student Muna Pandey

Houston police have released a photo of the suspect involved in the fatal shooting of 21-year-old Nepali student Muna Pandey. The suspect’s identity remains unknown.

The CCTV footage shows the suspect arriving at the scene at 9:48 PM on Saturday, August 24. Despite the release of the photo, the suspect has not been apprehended, and the police are still investigating the situation. The suspect is not the American youth with whom Muna was reportedly in a relationship.

Muna was found dead in her Houston apartment on Monday evening. Responding to a call at 5:35 PM, police discovered her with fatal gunshot wounds. The incident occurred on West Airport Boulevard. The body has been sent for an autopsy, and no arrests have been made.

Houston police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a suspect wanted in the fatal shooting of a woman found at 6363 West Airport Boulevard about 5:35 PM on Monday (Aug. 26). “Further investigation identified the male in the photo as a suspect in this case. At this time, his identity and whereabouts are unknown,” said police.

Anyone with information on the unidentified suspect or in this case is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or speak anonymously with Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

Houston police have released this image of the suspect captured on CCTV footage. The suspect is wanted in connection with the fatal shooting of 21-year-old Nepali student Muna Pandey. His identity and whereabouts are currently unknown. Anyone with information is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or speak anonymously with Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

“HPD patrol officers responded to a person down call and found the victim with multiple gunshot wounds inside an apartment. Paramedics pronounced her deceased at the scene. The apartment complex staff told officers that prior to calling 911, they received an anonymous call about a body inside the apartment. At this time, there is no known motive or suspect(s),” stated HPD Homicide Division Detectives M. Providence and A. Herrera in a press release.

Originally from Bhojpur, Nepal, Pandey had been studying at Houston Community College since 2021. Her mother, Anita Pandey Adhikari, who resides in Kathmandu, has been notified of the tragic incident. Pandey was the only child in her family.

Her phone had reportedly been switched off since Saturday, leading to suspicions that the incident may have occurred over the weekend.  Police stated that no weapon was found at the scene, and they have yet to determine a motive.

She was raised by her single mother, Anita Pandey Adhikari. Muna had come to the United States in 2021 to pursue her graduate studies.

Anita Adhikari, who faced significant challenges raising her daughter alone after being rejected by her husband, worked tirelessly to provide for Muna. Despite the hardships, Anita managed to send her daughter to the United States to pursue her dreams.

In Houston, Muna initially lived with a friend from Nepal before moving into her own apartment.

Devastated by her daughter’s untimely death, Anita  has appealed to authorities to investigate the murder and bring the perpetrator to justice. She has also requested the support of the Nepali community in the United States in her quest for justice. Muna’s friends and members of the Nepali community in the USA are also calling for justice.

“We demand justice for Muna Pandey, my dear friend and former roommate, who was tragically taken from us. She was shot in her own home in Houston, TX, and the pain of losing her in such a violent way is unbearable. We will not rest until those responsible for this senseless act are brought to justice… Muna deserves to be remembered for the incredible person she was, and we will continue to fight for the justice she deserves,” Muna’s former roommate Orusha Niraula posted on Facebook.

“Muna was like a sister to me—full of life, kindness, and joy. Her bubbly personality and infectious laughter made every moment brighter. It’s heartbreaking that someone so wonderful was taken from us so cruelly. As we grieve this immense loss, my thoughts are with her family, especially her mother,” Orusha shared in her tribute.