NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Accomack County, Virginia, March 24, 2025: In a tragic incident, a 56-year-old Indian-origin man and his 24-year-old daughter were shot dead at a convenience store in Accomack County, Virginia, where they had been working. The fatal shooting took place in the early hours of Thursday, March 20, sending shockwaves through the community.
The victims, identified as Pradipkumar Patel and his daughter, were attacked shortly after the store opened around 5:30 a.m. Deputies from the Accomack County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the scene to find Patel unresponsive with gunshot wounds outside the store, while his daughter was found critically injured inside the building. Despite being rushed to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, she succumbed to her injuries.
Authorities have arrested 44-year-old George Frazier Devon Wharton, a resident of Onancock, in connection with the double homicide. He faces multiple charges, including first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, possession of a firearm by a felon, and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Wharton is currently being held without bond at the Accomack Jail.
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, and investigations are ongoing. The senseless killing has sparked concerns within the Indian American community regarding safety, particularly for small business owners and workers in convenience stores, who often face heightened risks of violence.
Authorities have urged anyone with information related to the case to come forward as the investigation continues.
2 comments
Possibly add Hate Crime to this . Was this person besides already having a felony record out on bail for other alleged crimes ? It would appear this individual has a criminal history so why wasn’t he monitored closely enough not allowing the ability of getting a firearm ? Seems to be a spree of these Convenience Store Shootings lately.
Exactly where did this happen?