Three of a family, father and two sons, were gunned down in broad daylight while they were going in a car at Peda Avutapalli of Krishna district on the national highway No.16 between Gannavaram and Eluru near here on Wednesday.
The assailant first targeted Gandham Nageswara Rao (55) and his son Pagidi Maraiah (35) who was sitting in the second row killing them at once. Soon after, they pumped bullets into Maraiah (39), another son of Nageswara Rao, sitting in the front seat.
Maraiah while being treatment at a private hospital in Vijayawada died of bullet wounds, according to DCP Tafseer Iqbal.
Eight shells of bullets were found at the crime scene. According to Police information the role of hired killers and the victims were accused in a murder case at Pedavegi village, West Godavari district.
The victims’ car driver, who fled the scene, surrendered at the Eluru police station.
Vicinity of Unguturu and Vijayawada are being carefully checked by the police in a bid to nab criminals, who also came in a car.