Indian-Origin Motel Owner Shot Dead in Alabama Following Altercation over Room

A 76-year-old Indian-origin motel owner was tragically shot dead by a customer in Alabama, United States. The incident occurred following a heated altercation over a room, marking yet another devastating tragedy to shock the local community.

The victim, Pravin Raojibhai Patel, owned the Hillcrest Motel located in Sheffield. Last week, he fell victim to a fatal shooting.

According to Sheffield Police Chief Ricky Terry, William Jeremy Moore, a 34-year-old individual, was arrested in connection with Patel’s murder. WAFF TV, a Huntsville-based television station, reported on the incident.

Authorities have revealed that the shooting was a result of an altercation that unfolded when Moore arrived at the motel seeking to rent a room. The situation escalated when Moore brandished a firearm and shot Patel, as confirmed by Chief Terry.

Chief Terry further stated, “Moore was swiftly apprehended by Sheffield Police on 13th Avenue while attempting to break into an abandoned house.” During a search of Moore, law enforcement found the murder weapon in his possession.

According to a felony complaint, Patel had attempted to persuade Moore to leave before the shooting occurred. Moore initially started to leave, but then turned around and fired two fatal shots into Patel’s chest.

Jemeriz Owens, a barber working across the street, witnessed the aftermath of the tragedy. Shaken and visibly disturbed, Owens recounted, “I heard three gunshots. I can’t believe it; he was just doing his job.”

The Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) expressed their profound sadness, shock, and outrage over this senseless act of violence against a small business owner, resulting in the loss of his life.

AAHOA Chairman Bharat Patel stated, “Senseless acts of violence have no place in our communities, and our hearts are breaking for Pravin’s family, including his wife, children, and grandchildren.” He further added, “No family should have to endure what Pravin’s family is going through, and we extend our condolences to everyone who knew and loved him.”

Sanjay M. Patel, the AAHOA Alabama Regional Director, highlighted that Pravin Patel had dedicated over four decades to the town of Sheffield, owning and operating the Hillcrest Motel. Sanjay described him as a family-oriented person, jolly, and a shrewd businessman.

Pravin Patel had become a well-known figure in the community over his 40-plus years in Sheffield. The Patel family was recognized for their genuineness and compassion, and their presence in the town was deeply valued.

AAHOA firmly believes that Alabama authorities will work diligently to ensure that the Patel family finds justice. Unfortunately, this tragic incident adds to a series of deaths involving individuals of Indian or Indian-American descent in the United States.

Recently, an Indian-origin family, including their 4-year-old twin boys, was discovered dead in their California home, with the police investigating the case as a murder-suicide.

On February 10, a 41-year-old Indian-origin IT executive tragically lost his life after sustaining life-threatening injuries during an assault outside a restaurant in Washington.

Prior to that, Syed Mazahir Ali, an Indian student, was attacked by robbers in Chicago.

In a separate incident, 25-year-old Indian student Vivek Saini was fatally attacked in the city of Lithonia, Georgia by a homeless drug addict.

Furthermore, another student, identified as 19-year-old Shreyas Reddy Beniger, was found dead in Ohio. Local authorities, however, have ruled out any foul play.

Similarly, Sameer Kamath, a 23-year-old Indian-American student at Purdue University, was discovered dead in a nature preserve in Indiana on February 5.

Lastly, another Indian student named Neel Acharya, studying at Purdue University in Indiana, was reported missing on January 28 and was later confirmed dead.

Additionally, Akul B Dhawan, an 18-year-old student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, was found dead last month, indicating signs of hypothermia.