Indian-origin man, toddler shot dead in US store; suspect arrested

US Shooting victims (Courtesy: X/@AcharyaJay22_17)

A tragic shooting incident in the state of Virginia claimed the lives of a 56-year-old man and his 2-year-old daughter at a convenience store. The victims, Pradipkumar Patel and his daughter, were working at the store on Lankford Highway in Accomack County when the attack occurred on March 20.

Officials have arrested 44-year-old George Frazier Devon Wharton of Onancock in connection with the case. He is currently being held at Accomack Jail without bond, as announced by Sheriff W. Todd Wessells.

Wharton faces multiple charges, including first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, illegal possession of a firearm as a convicted felon, and two counts of using a firearm in the commission of a felony.

According to Shore Daily News, the Accomack County Sheriff’s Office received a call about a shooting victim around 5:30 a.m. on March 20. Deputies arrived to find an unresponsive man with gunshot wounds.

While searching the premises, they also discovered a woman suffering from gunshot injuries. The man was pronounced dead at the scene, while the woman was rushed to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries.

The motive behind the shooting remains unclear. Paresh Patel, the store’s owner, told WAVY-TV, a Virginia-based television station, that the victims were his relatives.

“My cousin’s wife and her dad were working this morning when some guy came here and just shot,” Paresh was quoted as saying. “I don’t know what to do.” The incident has deeply impacted the Indian community in the United States following the news shared on Facebook.