Bobby Singh Shah(51), the person who was arrested for allegedly shooting and killing 21-year-old Nepali student Muna Pandey in Houston, Texas, has been charged with capital murder in the 262nd State District Court. A capital murder charge is the most serious form of murder in Texas, which carries a statutory penalty of up to the death penalty. It is mentioned in the court documents that during the robbery, Muna Pandey was shot and killed by Bobby Singh Shah using a deadly weapon.
Bobby Singh will appear in court on Tuesday, September 3. Additionally, another charge of illegally carrying weapons has been filed against him. Bobby Singh will appear in court on Thursday, September 5, for the charge of illegally carrying a weapon in a vehicle.
The court document states: “BOBBY SINGH SHAH also known as BOBBY SHAH, hereafter styled the Defendant, heretofore on or about August 24, 2024, did then and there unlawfully, while in the course of committing and attempting to commit the Robbery of Muna Pandey, intentionally cause the death of Muna Pandey by shooting Muna Pandey with a Deadly Weapon, to-wit a firearm.”
Bobby Singh was arrested at a traffic stop shortly after 8 p.m. on Wednesday in a coordinated effort by HPD SWAT officers, the HPD Crime Reduction Unit, and the Texas Department of Public Safety. The police managed to apprehend the suspect after receiving several calls with information about him.
The arrest was made just a few hours after the police released a photo of the suspect on Wednesday. The photo, taken from CCTV footage, was captured at 9:48 p.m. on Saturday, August 24.
Police were informed after Muna Pandey was found in her apartment with a gunshot wound on Monday evening. Houston police said they found her dead when they arrived at the scene at 5:35 p.m. on Monday.
After receiving information about the incident, the police team reached the scene on West Airport Boulevard and found the 21-year-old woman deceased. The police said that the investigation into the incident is ongoing. The body, found with gunshot wounds, has been sent for an autopsy examination.
Houston police said in a statement that patrol officers found the victim with multiple gunshot wounds inside the apartment. Paramedics declared her dead on the spot. Employees at the apartment complex told police they had received an anonymous call about a body inside the apartment before contacting 911.
Muna Pandey was the only child in her family. Her phone had been switched off since Saturday. The police are investigating the motive behind the crime.
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Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
