Mangaluru : In a gruesome incident, an 18-year old PU student was shot dead by a school attendant last night at Pragathi School in Kadugodi, Bengaluru.

The deceased has been identified as Gauthami who hailed from Tumukur. Gauthami stayed at the school hostel.

The accused school attendant Mahesh, 41, entered the ladies hostel at around 10 pm and picked up an argument with Gauthami and her friend Shirisha.

Following the heated argument, Mahesh shot Gauthami in her face and head and her friend Shrisha near her jaw.

Gauthami died on the spot and injured Shirisha has been hospitalized at the Manipal Hospital.

A case has been registered at the Kadugodi Police Station. Police has launched a manhunt for nabbing the accused who has been absconding. Mahesh is suspected to be a jilted lover.

However, Gauthami’s father told the press that his daughter was not dating anyone.

Karnataka Home Minister K J George, City Police Chief M N Reddi and other senior officials rushed to the spot.