PITTSBURGH: A 51-year-old motel owner, identified as Rakesh Ehagaban, was fatally shot in the head on Friday after stepping outside his motel in Robinson Township to check on a disturbance in the parking lot.
According to police, Ehagaban approached the scene after hearing gunfire and asked the suspect, Stanley Eugene West, 37, “Are you alright, bud?” Moments later, West shot him in the head. Ehagaban died at the scene.
Investigators said the confrontation began when West shot his female companion in the neck as she sat inside a car in the motel’s parking lot. The woman, who had a child with her, managed to drive to a nearby auto service center for help. The child was unharmed.
Police traced West to the East Hills neighborhood of Pittsburgh, where he later shot a responding officer before being subdued. Both the wounded woman and the officer were hospitalized.
West, who had been staying at the motel, is also linked to a residence on Page Street on Pittsburgh’s North Side, officials said.
Arrest documents revealed that the woman was attempting to leave the motel when West approached her car and fired through the driver’s side window, shattering the glass. Ehagaban, seeing the commotion, stepped outside — an act of concern that cost him his life.
Witnesses said the shooter walked away calmly after killing the motel owner.
In a statement, Acting Police Chief Martin Devine expressed gratitude to first responders and hospital staff:
“The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police is grateful to the incredible care provided by the doctors and nurses at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital and to all our law enforcement partners who work tirelessly to keep Allegheny County safe in the fight against violent crime.”
Authorities continue to investigate the motive behind the attack.
