Seattle CEO Shoots Family, Wins 44 Patents
Newcastle Shooting Leaves Three Dead, Including Tech CEO
NEWCASTLE, Wash. (AP) — A shooting in Newcastle last week left three people dead, including a prominent tech entrepreneur, according to teh King County Sheriff’s Office. The incident occurred Thursday, April 24, at a townhome in what was described as a Chinese residential area.
Details of the Incident
deputies responding to the scene discovered a grim situation. Shwetha Panyam, 41, and Dhruva Kikkeri, 14, died from gunshot wounds. The king County Forensic Office confirmed their deaths as homicides. Harshavardhana Kikkeri, 57, died by suicide, according to investigators.
A 7-year-old son of the family was not home at the time of the shooting and was unharmed.
Evidence at the scene included blood on a front window and a spent bullet casing on the street, authorities said.
The King County Sheriff’s Office has not yet released further details, pending the completion of their investigation. It remains unclear whether the incident is being investigated as a murder-suicide.
Community Reaction
Alex, chairman of the community owners’ committee, described the family as private and reserved, rarely interacting with neighbors.
Remembering Harshavardhana Kikkeri
Harshavardhana Kikkeri was the CEO of HoloWorld, a company specializing in motion capture technology. Born in Kikkeri, Mandya, India, he earned a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Syracuse university and previously worked at Microsoft in robotics.
HoloWorld and Accomplishments
In 2017, Kikkeri and his wife returned to India and founded HoloWorld (also known as holosphere). The company developed Holosuit, a lightweight, two-way wireless full-body motion capture system used in sports, medicine, and education. HoloWorld’s products were exported to the U.S., the U.K., and Israel.indian cricket star Yuvraj Singh served as a brand ambassador.
Kikkeri was also a member of the Indian Entrepreneurs association (TiE) and a speaker on robotics. He met with Indian Prime Minister Modi to discuss deploying robot soldiers at the border.
Awards and Patents
Kikkeri’s accomplishments included:
- Gold Star from Microsoft
- Excellence Awards from Infosys (plural as listed in source)
- Chess championships
- 44 international patents across the U.S., Europe, China, and Japan
Shwetha Panyam, Dhruva Kikkeri and Harshavardhana Kikkeri All Died from Gunshot Wounds at a townhome Thursday.
— The Seattle Times (@seattletimes) April 29, 2025
Newcastle Shooting: key Facts and Details
This article provides data about the tragic shooting in Newcastle, Washington, based on the provided news report. We will explore the details of the incident,the victims,and the community’s reaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most common questions about the Newcastle shooting, answered based solely on the provided source material:
What happened in Newcastle, washington?
A shooting occurred in Newcastle, Washington, last week, resulting in the deaths of three individuals. The incident took place at a townhome in what was described as a Chinese residential area. The King County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the event.
Who were the victims of the shooting?
The victims were Shwetha Panyam, 41, Dhruva Kikkeri, 14, and Harshavardhana Kikkeri, 57. According to the King county Sheriff’s Office, Shwetha Panyam and Dhruva Kikkeri died from gunshot wounds and their deaths were confirmed as homicides. Harshavardhana Kikkeri died by suicide,according to investigators.
Where did the shooting take place?
The shooting occurred at a townhome in Newcastle, Washington.
When did the shooting happen?
The shooting occurred on Thursday, April 24.
Was anyone else in the home at the time of the shooting?
A 7-year-old son of the family was not home at the time of the shooting and was unharmed.
What evidence was found at the scene?
Evidence at the scene included blood on a front window and a spent bullet casing on the street, according to authorities.
What is the current status of the inquiry?
The King County Sheriff’s Office has not released further details pending the completion of their investigation. It remains unclear whether the incident is being investigated as a murder-suicide.
Who was Harshavardhana Kikkeri?
Harshavardhana Kikkeri was the CEO of HoloWorld, a company specializing in motion capture technology. He held a master’s degree in electrical engineering from syracuse University and had previously worked at Microsoft in robotics.
What was HoloWorld?
holoworld (also known as holosphere) was a company founded by Harshavardhana Kikkeri and his wife in India. HoloWorld developed Holosuit, a full-body motion capture system used in various fields. Their products were exported to the U.S., the U.K., and Israel.
What were Harshavardhana Kikkeri’s accomplishments?
- Gold Star from Microsoft
- Excellence Awards from Infosys
- Chess championships
- 44 international patents across various countries
What was the community’s reaction to the shooting?
Alex, chairman of the community owners’ committee, described the family as private and reserved, rarely interacting with neighbors.
Who was yuvraj Singh?
Yuvraj Singh was an Indian cricket star who served as a brand ambassador for HoloWorld.