Daijiworld Media Network - Virginia

Virginia, Mar 23: The tragic deaths of a Gujarati father and daughter in a shooting incident have left the Indian community in the US and their hometown of Kanoda, Mehsana, in deep sorrow. Pradeep Patel (56) was killed on the spot, while his daughter Urmi (24) succumbed to her injuries two days later.

According to reports, the attack occurred on March 20 when the duo had just opened their store around 5 am. A gunman, identified as George Frazier Devon Wharton, allegedly entered and started firing. Police have arrested the accused, but the motive remains unclear.

The Patel family had moved to the US in 2019 and were managing a convenience store owned by the Gujarati community. They had taken over their current store just four months ago. Pradeep’s wife, two daughters, and son live in different parts of North America. Urmi, who got married three years ago, was visiting her family at the time of the attack.

Relatives suspect that the assailant had been lurking near the store before launching the attack. The incident has sparked concerns over the growing number of violent attacks targeting the Gujarati community in the US. Recently, a Vadodara native, Mainank Patel, was also shot dead in North Carolina, prompting an outpouring of support for his grieving family.

Pradeep and Urmi’s final rites are likely to be performed in the US, as the family grapples with the devastating loss.