India Tribune Newsdesk

Chicago: A tragic shooting in Virginia claimed the lives of 56-year-old Pradip Kumar Patel and his 24-year-old daughter. The accused reportedly opened fire after arriving at the store to buy liquor. While Pradip died on the spot, his daughter succumbed to her injuries at the hospital. Police have arrested one suspect. Patel, who was from Gujarat’s Mehsana district, came to USA six years ago.

Pradipkumar Patel and his daughter were working at a store on Lankford Highway in Accomack County, located on Virginia's Eastern Shore, when the shooting occurred.

According to Shore Daily News, the Accomack County Sheriff's Office responded to reports of a shooting victim shortly after 5:30 am on March 20. Upon arrival, deputies found an unresponsive man with apparent gunshot wounds, who was pronounced dead at the scene. A woman with similar injuries was discovered inside the building and transported to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, where she later died.

Authorities have confirmed the arrest of 44-year-old George Frazier Devon Wharton of Onancock on March 21. He is currently detained without bond in Accomack Jail. Sheriff W. Todd Wessells stated that Wharton has been charged on account of first-degree murder, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, attempted murder, and more. No motive has been revealed yet behind the gruesome act.

Paresh Patel, who identified himself as the owner of the store, said both victims were his family members, WAVY-TV, a television station in Virginia, reported.

“My cousin’s wife and her dad were working this morning and some guy come here and they just shot,” the TV station quoted Paresh as saying. “I don’t know what to do.” The incident sent shockwaves among the Indian community members in the United States after the news spread through Facebook, the report said.

The incident sent shockwaves among the Indian community members in the United States after the news spread through Facebook, the report said.

(Compiled from various sources)