Indian Father-Daughter Duo Shot Dead in US Departmental Store

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, March 23, 2025: A 24-year-old Indian woman and her 56-year-old father were tragically shot dead on Thursday morning at a departmental store in Accomack County, Virginia, where they were employed. The incident occurred shortly after the store opened for business.

The victims, Pradeep Patel and his daughter Urmi Patel, originally from Mehsana district in Gujarat, had moved to the United States six years ago. They worked at the store, which was owned by a relative, Paresh Patel.

The accused, George Frazier Devon Wharton (44), allegedly arrived at the store early in the morning to purchase liquor and expressed frustration over the store being closed at night. He then opened fire, killing Pradeep Patel on the spot, while Urmi succumbed to her injuries at a hospital.

Local authorities have arrested Wharton and charged him with first-degree murder, along with additional charges under felony and arms laws.

The incident has left the Patels’ relatives in Gujarat in shock. Speaking to local media, Pradeep Patel’s uncle, Chandu Patel, said, "We learned about the tragedy through media reports and a viral video. His daughter in the US shared the details with us."

Paresh Patel, the store’s owner, described the heartbreaking loss during an interview with WAVY TV. "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. Pradeep Patel and his wife Hansaben have two other daughters, one residing in Canada and the other in Ahmedabad.

The double murder has sent shockwaves through the Indian-American community, which is still reeling from a similar incident a few months ago. In a tragic parallel, Mainank Patel, a 36-year-old Indian-origin man, was shot dead during a robbery at his convenience store in North Carolina.

The incident underscores the growing concerns about gun violence in the United States, particularly affecting immigrant communities working in convenience stores.