On May 14, 2025, at around 6:45 p.m., Austin Police Department officers and Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services responded to a report of a stabbing on a CapMetro bus in the 500 block of South Lamar Boulevard. Upon arrival, they found Akshay Gupta with trauma to his body. Despite attempts to save him, Mr. Gupta was pronounced dead at the scene at 7:30 p.m.
Homicide detectives and crime scene specialists conducted an investigation and interviewed witnesses. The suspect, Deepak Kandel, allegedly stabbed Mr. Gupta in the neck without provocation while sitting next to him on the bus. After the bus stopped, Kandel exited with other passengers and left on foot but was soon located and detained by patrol officers.
Kandel reportedly admitted to the stabbing because Mr. Gupta resembled his uncle. He has been charged with first-degree murder and is held in Travis County Jail.
For those needing to retrieve personal property from the bus due to this incident, contact CapMetro customer service at 512-474-1200 for instructions.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Austin Police Department at 512-974-TIPS or submit tips anonymously through Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program via austincrimestoppers.org or call 512-472-8477. A reward up to $1,000 may be available for information leading to an arrest.
This incident marks Austin’s 25th homicide of the year.
