A 45-year-old Indian-origin woman from Gujarat was shot dead while working at a convenience store in Virginia on May 23 in what police said was an unrelated act of violence linked to a domestic dispute.
The victim, identified as Meghnaben Patel, had reportedly been working at the supermarket for several years. CCTV footage from inside the store showed a masked gunman approaching the counter where Patel was working before pulling out a firearm and opening fire.
The attacker was seen scattering items around the store and firing multiple shots before fleeing the scene.
Local police said the shooting at Fat Philly’s convenience store was not connected to the victim or the business itself. Investigators said the gunman had earlier been involved in a domestic dispute with his stepfather at a residence on Blackwood Avenue in Virginia’s Greenwood area.
According to police, officers responded around 8.13am to reports of an argument between a man and his stepfather. As the younger man was leaving the house, he allegedly turned back and fired a shot, injuring the 45-year-old stepfather, who survived and was taken to hospital for treatment.
Roughly 20 minutes later, the suspect arrived at the convenience store, located a short distance away. Surveillance footage reportedly showed him briefly interacting with Patel before suddenly opening fire.
Police later received reports of a car left running on a nearby road. Officers arriving at the scene found the suspect dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Authorities said they are not searching for any additional suspects, though the investigation remains ongoing.
