P Varun Raj, the 24-year-old Indian student who was attacked with a knife at a fitness center in the US state of Indiana over the weekend, remains in critical condition and is currently on life support, according to sources familiar with his ongoing medical treatment.
The victim, P Varun Raj, is a Computer Science student who was assaulted by the assailant, 24-year-old Jordan Andrade, at a public gym on Sunday morning. The authorities are still investigating the reasons behind the attack.
After three days of medical care, Varun remains on life support and is experiencing severe neurological impairment. His injuries are expected to result in permanent disability, including partial or possibly complete vision loss and left-side weakness, as per the sources.
Following the incident, the attacker, Jordan Andrade, was apprehended and now faces charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and attempted murder. Due to the seriousness of Varun's injuries, he has been transferred to Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne.
During a court appearance before Porter Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Clymer, the assailant, Andrade, pleaded not guilty to the charges, which include Level 1 felony and Level 3 felony. The judge set his bond at $500,000 cash and $500,000 surety, citing concerns about the flight risk.
The university president expressed his shock over the brutal attack on one of its students, emphasizing that the university community views each other as family and offering thoughts, prayers, and support to Varun's family.
In response to Varun's critical condition and the challenges faced by his family, the North American Telugu Society (NATS) initiated a fundraiser on GoFundMe and raised over $38,000 by Wednesday night. Varun's family is grappling with extensive medical expenses and travel costs to the United States, and they have reached out to NATS for support in this difficult time.
