Indian-origin motel manager fatally shot in Pittsburgh while trying to help others

Indian-Origin Motel Manager Fatally Shot in Pittsburgh While Trying to Help Others

An Indian-origin motel manager Rakesh Ehagaban, also known as Rakesh Patel, was fatally shot outside his workplace in Pittsburgh, United States.

The incident captured on CCTV shows the 51-year-old stepping out of the Pittsburgh Motel in Robinson Township to check on a disturbance moments before he was shot at point-blank range.

According to local media reports, the footage shows Ehagaban noticing a commotion outside the motel and calmly approaching a man armed with a gun, asking, “Are you alright, bud?” Seconds later, the suspect, identified as 37-year-old Stanley Eugene West, walks up to him, raises the weapon, and fires a shot to his head. Ehagaban died instantly.

The incident occurred last Friday and was recorded by the motel’s security cameras. Police later confirmed that the same suspect had also shot a woman outside the property before engaging in a gunfight with law enforcement officers.

Investigators said West had been staying at the motel, where the woman, also a guest, was attempting to leave the premises with a child when he opened fire. The woman sustained a gunshot wound to the neck, while the child escaped unhurt.

Hearing the gunshots, Ehagaban reportedly stepped out to assess the situation, unaware of the imminent danger. After shooting him, West calmly walked to a nearby van and drove away.

The injured woman managed to reach a nearby auto service centre, where police and paramedics arrived and transported her to a hospital in critical condition.

Using licence plate recognition cameras, police traced the suspect’s van to Pittsburgh’s East Hills neighbourhood. When officers confronted him, West allegedly opened fire, prompting police to return shots. Both the suspect and a detective were injured in the exchange.

West is now in custody and faces multiple charges, including criminal homicide, attempted homicide, and reckless endangerment. Both the injured woman and the detective remain hospitalised.