Indian man and daughter shot dead at a departmental store in Virginia, leaving the Indian community in shock. The tragic incident took place on Thursday morning in Accomack County, where 56-year-old Pradeep Patel and his 24-year-old daughter Urmi Patel were working at a convenience store owned by a relative.
The father-daughter duo had been living in the United States for six years after moving from Gujarat, India. Their lives were cut short when a gunman, identified as 44-year-old George Frazier Devon Wharton, opened fire at the store.
The Tragic Shooting Incident
The shooting occurred shortly after the store opened for the day. According to reports, the accused arrived early in the morning intending to buy liquor. Frustrated by the store being closed the previous night, he engaged in an argument before pulling out a gun and firing at Pradeep and Urmi.
Pradeep Patel died on the spot, while Urmi was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries. The news of their tragic death sent shockwaves across the Indian community in the U.S. and in their hometown of Mehsana, Gujarat.
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Law enforcement authorities acted swiftly and arrested Wharton, charging him with first-degree murder, felony, and violations of arms laws. The local police continue to investigate the motive behind the attack, while the victims’ grieving family struggles to come to terms with their loss.
A Family’s American Dream Shattered
Pradeep Patel, his wife Hansaben, and their daughter Urmi had moved to the U.S. six years ago in search of a better future. They were employed at the convenience store owned by a relative, Paresh Patel.
Paresh, devastated by the loss, shared his grief in an interview with WAVY TV in Virginia. “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,” he said.
Gujarati father, daughter shot dead in US store
— The Times Of India (@timesofindia) March 23, 2025
The tragic deaths of a father and daughter in a #Virginia shooting have sent shockwaves through the #Gujarati community in the #UnitedStates and Kanoda village in Mehsana.
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The Patel family was known to be hardworking and dedicated to their jobs. Pradeep and Hansaben also had two other daughters—one residing in Canada and the other in Ahmedabad, India.
The sudden loss of Pradeep and Urmi has left the family shattered, struggling to cope with the horrifying reality. Their relatives back in Gujarat are in mourning, trying to understand how their loved ones became victims of such a heinous crime.
Pradeep’s uncle, Chandu Patel, mentioned that they learned about the tragedy through local media and viral videos. “We spoke to his daughter, and she told us everything,” he said, deeply saddened by the loss.
Rising Concerns Over Attacks on Indian-Americans
The tragic deaths of Pradeep and Urmi Patel highlight growing concerns about the safety of Indian-Americans in the United States. This is not an isolated incident.
A few months ago, another Indian-origin man, Mainank Patel, was shot dead during a robbery at a convenience store in North Carolina. Such incidents raise questions about the increasing violence against people of Indian descent and the vulnerability of store owners and workers in the retail sector.
The Patel family’s tragedy has ignited discussions within the Indian community about ensuring better security measures in workplaces. Many are urging store owners to invest in enhanced safety protocols, such as security cameras, panic buttons, and increased police patrolling in high-risk areas.
As the investigation continues, the Patel family is seeking justice for Pradeep Patel and Urmi. Their deaths serve as a painful reminder of the dangers that many small business owners and workers face in the U.S. every day.
The Indian community stands in solidarity with the grieving family, mourning the loss of two innocent lives while hoping for swift justice against the perpetrator. The loss of Pradeep Patel and Urmi Patel will forever leave a void in the hearts of their loved ones, reminding everyone of the fragility of life and the importance of community support in times of sorrow.