Shooting in Virginia: Indian Businessman and Daughter Killed

Virginia store where an Indian businessman and his daughter were fatally shot.

New York: In the U.S. state of Virginia, an Indian-origin man and his 24-year-old daughter were shot and killed in a store, and the police have arrested a suspect in connection with the case, according to media reports.

The incident took place in Accomack County, Virginia, where 56-year-old Pradeep Kumar Patel and his daughter were working at a store located on Lankford Highway when the shooting occurred. According to media reports, the Accomack County Sheriff’s Office stated that officers responded to the scene after receiving reports of gunfire on March 20 at around 5:30 a.m.

Upon arrival, officers found a man lying unconscious, suffering from gunshot wounds. While searching the store, they also discovered a woman who had been shot. According to reports, the man was declared dead at the scene, while the woman was taken to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries.

The Accomack County Sheriff’s Office announced late Thursday night that a suspect had been arrested in connection with the shooting. According to Sheriff W. Todd Wessells, 44-year-old George Frazier Devon Wharton of Onancock has been taken into custody and placed in Accomack Jail. He has been charged with murder, attempted murder, possession of a firearm, and two counts of using a firearm in the commission of a felony.

Motive for the Shooting Remains Unknown

However, the reason behind the shooting remains unclear. Virginia-based television station WVEC-TV reported that Paresh Patel, who claimed to be the owner of the store, stated that the two deceased individuals were his family members. According to WVEC-TV, Paresh Patel said, “My cousin’s wife and her father were working in the store this morning when some people came in and opened fire.”

Another relative of the victims, Paul Patel, was quoted by WBOC-TV as saying, “They never had any disputes with anyone… People who knew them said they were very kind and extremely friendly. They were always smiling.”

According to reports, after the news spread through Facebook, the incident caused shock and concern within the Indian community in the U.S.