Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Punjab Youth Killed in New York After Perilous Donkey Route
Gurdeep Singh left Punjab for the United States when he was about 16 years old.
His family borrowed around Rs 30 lakh to help send him there.
He traveled through a dangerous route known as the “donkey” route.
He entered the United States from Mexico and stayed in a detention centre for more than a year.
Because he was a minor, he was allowed to attend school.
Later, he moved to New York and found small jobs.
He had been working in pizza delivery for several years.
He was shot dead in New York on Friday night, and his family is now waiting for his body.
Gurdeep Singh, from Punjab, was shot dead in New York on Friday night.
He was reportedly on his way to deliver a pizza when he was killed.
His family borrowed around Rs 30 lakh to send him to the United States.
Gurdeep left Punjab at about 16-and-a-half through the perilous “donkey” route.
He entered the United States through Mexico and spent more than a year in detention before later working in pizza delivery.
- Who
- Gurdeep Singh, a Punjab youth, was shot dead; his father is Pyara Lal.
- What
- Gurdeep Singh was killed by gunfire in New York while reportedly delivering pizza.
- When
- Friday night; the father spoke to The Indian Express on Monday. Exact dates were not stated.
- Where
- New York; Gurdeep had entered the United States through Mexico.
- Why
- He was reportedly traveling to deliver a pizza when he was shot. His family had sent him to the United States through the “donkey” route after borrowing around Rs 30 lakh.
- Victim
- Gurdeep Singh
- Father
- Pyara Lal, a daily-wage worker in Kapurthala
- Age when he left
- About 16-and-a-half
- Route
- He entered the United States from the Mexico side through the “donkey” route
- Family debt
- Around Rs 30 lakh borrowed to send him to the United States
- Detention
- He spent more than a year in a detention centre
- Recent work
- Pizza delivery in New York