Custodian Dinesh Kumar Attacked

On Friday, August 26, Berkeley High School custodian Dinesh Kumar was shot in an attempted robbery at his home. He has been hospitalized and is expected to recover.

The report released by the Richmond Police Department explained that Kumar was responding to a call for help from his wife when he entered a room and was shot multiple times by an intruder.

His wife and two children, ages 12 and 16, were unharmed. His mother, who had recently flown to California from Fiji, was shot and killed at the scene.

Kumar has been a custodian at BHS for many years and is known by other staff members for his distinguishable qualities. BHS Principal Pasquale Scuderi met Kumar during his time as a Vice Principal at Berkeley High. “He’s a nice guy, a humble guy, a hardworking guy. Very committed,” Scuderi said. “I think everyone at the district office would say the same thing.” Kumar has always been the perfect role model for both students and faculty, and a wonderful representation of what the school’s environment should be like. Through his constant friendliness, diligent work ethic, and willingness to help others, he has made himself a respected and irreplaceable member of the BHS community. The staff of The Jacket particularly appreciate that he has always been understanding of their late–night work hours, going out of his way to lend a hand when the C–building bathrooms are locked. Kumar’s dedication and sedulousness were clearly exemplified when he was visited in the hospital on Monday by BHS Operations Manager Al Wilright. Upon speaking to Wilright, his supervisor and one of the staff members to whom he is closest, Kumar’s first remark was an apology that he would be missing work.

Kumar has always reached out and been helpful to others, and the BHS community is now returning that sentiment in this time of tragedy. To help Kumar’s family cover the immense costs that will inevitably follow this incident, a support fund in his name has been set up by the school.

Those who wish to make a contribution of any amount to support the BHS staff member can make checks out to “Berkeley High School” with the words “DK Support Fund” in the memo line. The office has been collecting these checks and will send a single check to the Kumar family today, September 2, however due to the significant amount of response from the community they will continue collecting contributions through Wednesday, September 7. Checks can also be mailed to the school at 1980 Allston Way, Berkeley, California, 94704. “We’ve gotten a lot of response,” said Principal Scuderi. “We are going to do whatever we can to make that support available to the family.”