Tragic Shooting in Virginia: Indian Father and Daughter Killed in Store

A father and daughter, Pradeep Patel and Urmi Patel, were shot dead at a Virginia store where they worked. The shooter, George Frazier Devon Wharton, was arrested and charged with murder. This double homicide has devastated the Indian community in the US, and the victims’ family has expressed their grief.

In a tragic incident, a 24-year-old Indian woman and her 56-year-old father were fatally shot at a departmental store in Virginia, where they worked. The shooting occurred on Thursday morning, shortly after the store opened, in Accomack County. The suspect, George Frazier Devon Wharton, aged 44, has been apprehended for the double homicide.

Reports indicate that Wharton entered the store early Thursday to purchase liquor and questioned why the store was closed at night. He then opened fire on Pradeep Patel and his daughter, Urmi. Pradeep Patel died instantly, while Urmi later succumbed to her injuries at the hospital. The family hailed from Mehsana district in Gujarat and had relocated to the US six years prior.

The victims had been working at the convenience store owned by a relative, Paresh Patel. In an emotional statement to WAVY TV, Paresh Patel referred to the victims as family: “My cousin’s wife and her dad were working this morning. Some guy came here and just shot. I don’t know what to do.” Pradeep Patel and Hansaben, his wife, have two more daughters, one residing in Canada and the other in Ahmedabad.

Wharton faces multiple charges, including first-degree murder and violations of felony and firearm laws. This incident has deeply impacted the Indian community in the United States, following another recent tragedy when Mainank Patel, a 36-year-old of Indian origin, was shot and killed during a robbery at his convenience store in North Carolina.

The shooting incident has not only resulted in the loss of two lives but has also left a lasting impact on the local Indian community. The swift arrest of the alleged shooter reflects the ongoing commitment to ensuring justice in such tragic cases.

Original Source: www.ndtv.com