– Indian-origin motel owner killed in US
– Elderly Indian motel owner fatally shot in the US.

Accident – Death – Obituary News :

Indian-origin Motel Owner Shot Dead in Alabama

Washington, Feb 15 (PTI) – In a tragic incident that has shocked the community, a 76-year-old Indian-origin motel owner was fatally shot by a customer in Alabama, United States. Pravin Raojibhai Patel, the owner of Hillcrest Motel in Sheffield, was killed during an altercation over a room. The shooting took place last week, and the suspect, identified as William Jeremy Moore, 34, was promptly arrested by Sheffield Police Chief Ricky Terry. The incident has once again raised concerns about violence against the Indian community in the country.

According to reports, the altercation between Patel and Moore escalated quickly when Moore arrived at the motel looking to rent a room. In a sudden turn of events, Moore brandished a gun and shot Patel. The police apprehended Moore as he was trying to break into an abandoned house on 13th Avenue. During the arrest, authorities discovered the murder weapon in Moore’s possession. A felony complaint states that Patel had tried to persuade Moore to leave before the shooting occurred, but Moore shot him twice in the chest.

Jemeriz Owens, a barber working across the street, witnessed the aftermath of the incident. Still shaken, Owens recalled hearing three gunshots and expressed disbelief, saying, “I can’t believe it; he was just doing his job.”

Outrage and Condolences from Asian American Hotel Owners Association

The Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) expressed deep sadness and outrage over the tragic incident. The association, which represents hotel owners across the United States, condemned the act of violence against a small business owner. AAHOA Chairman Bharat Patel conveyed his condolences to Patel’s family, including his wife, children, and grandchildren, stating that no family should have to endure such a devastating loss.

AAHOA Alabama Regional Director Sanjay M. Patel described Pravin Patel as a family-oriented person, known for his jolly nature and keen business sense. Pravin had spent over four decades in Sheffield, owning and operating the Hillcrest Motel. The Patel family was well-known in the community, and their genuine and caring nature made them familiar faces in town.

The AAHOA expressed confidence in the Alabama authorities’ ability to deliver justice for the Patel family.

A Disturbing Trend of Violence Against Indians in the US

This incident is the latest in a series of tragic events involving the Indian community in the United States. In recent months, several cases of violence resulting in the deaths of Indian or Indian-American individuals have emerged.

On Monday, an Indian-origin family, including their 4-year-old twin boys, was found dead at their California home in what the police are investigating as a murder-suicide. Similarly, on February 10, a 41-year-old Indian-origin IT executive died after sustaining life-threatening injuries during an assault outside a restaurant in Washington.

Earlier, an Indian student named Syed Mazahir Ali was attacked by robbers in Chicago, while 25-year-old Vivek Saini, another Indian student, was fatally attacked in Georgia’s Lithonia city by a homeless drug addict. In Ohio, 19-year-old Shreyas Reddy Beniger was found dead, although local authorities have ruled out foul play.

The list continues with the tragic deaths of Sameer Kamath, a 23-year-old Indian-American student at Purdue University, who was found dead in a nature preserve in Indiana on February 5, and Neel Acharya, an Indian student at Purdue University, whose death was confirmed days after he was reported missing on January 28. Lastly, Akul B Dhawan, an 18-year-old student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, was found dead last month, showing signs of hypothermia.

These incidents have raised concerns within the Indian community and highlighted the need for increased security and awareness in order to prevent further tragedies.

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1. “Indian-origin elderly motel owner shot dead in US”
2. “US motel owner of Indian origin fatally shot”.