Indian-origin man and his daughter shot dead in US store.

Pradipkumar Patel and his daughter were killed in a shooting at a store on Lankford Highway in Accomack County, Virginia on March 20, 2025. The store was owned by Paresh Patel, who is Pradipkumar's cousin. According to reports, the shooting happened shortly after the store opened at 5 a.m.

The suspect, identified as George Frazier Devon Wharton, 44, was arrested on March 21, 2025, and is currently being held at the Accomack Jail. Wharton has been charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, possession of a firearm by a felon, and two counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

Pradipkumar Patel and his daughter had moved to the United States from Gujarat, India, six years before the incident. The motive behind the shooting is still under investigation.

Chandu Patel, a Kadva Patidar community leader in Kanoda and Pradeep's uncle, said the family first came to know about the attack through media reports. "They had just opened their shop around 5 am on March 20 when a man barged in and started firing. Both Pradeep and Urmi were shot," he said. The incident is reminiscent of a similar tragedy in North Carolina, where Mainak Patel, a 36-year-old Indian-origin man who ran a convenience store, was shot dead during a robbery at the premises. Against the backdrop of similar incidents, in April 2024, Sachin Sahu, a 42-year-old man suffering from bipolar disorder, was shot dead by US police in San Antonio. In May 2017, an Indian-origin techie and his wife in San Jose were shot by their daughter's ex-boyfriend, who had a history of domestic violence. These incidents highlight the vulnerability of Indian-origin people in the United States, especially those working in retail and small businesses. The recent shootings in Accomack County underscore the continued need for improved safety measures and community support for immigrant families.