NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Jackson, TN, August 23, 2026: A 56-year-old store owner was shot and killed during an armed robbery at a Tennessee liquor store, just days after taking over the business, according to police and local media reports.
Suresh Patel was killed Thursday night at Ridgecrest Cellars Wine and Spirits in Jackson, about 85 miles northeast of Memphis.
The Jackson Police Department said officers responded to a report of a robbery and shooting at the store, located at 2880 Ridgecrest Road, at approximately 9 p.m. on August 20.
Witnesses told investigators that a masked gunman entered the business, brandished a weapon and demanded cash from employees. After receiving the money, the suspect fired multiple shots, striking Patel, police said.
Patel was found dead at the scene.
Local television station WBBJ reported that Patel had taken over Ridgecrest Cellars as its new owner only three days earlier, on Monday. Sources also told the station that Patel’s 19-year-old daughter was standing next to him when he was shot. She was not injured.
A 70-year-old employee who had worked at the store since it opened fell during the robbery and suffered a broken wrist, according to WBBJ.
Police described the suspect as a Black male wearing a gray hoodie, jeans and black work-style boots. His face was concealed by what investigators described as a paintball-style mask.
The gunman fled the store following the shooting and was seen leaving in a white sedan, police said. Authorities have released surveillance images of the suspect as the search continues.
Patel, whose full name has been reported as Suresh Parsottamdas Patel, was originally from Akhaj village in Gujarat’s Mehsana district and had lived in the United States for nearly three decades, according to Indian media reports. He had previously lived in the Chicago area before beginning the new business venture in Tennessee.
The Jackson Police Department is continuing to investigate the killing. Police have not announced an arrest or identified a suspect.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Jackson Police Department at 731-425-8400 or Crime Stoppers at 731-424-8477. Crime Stoppers callers may remain anonymous.
