NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
BOSSIER CITY, LA, April 25, 2026: A 30-year-old Indian-origin woman remains in critical condition after a shooting inside a convenience store in Bossier City earlier this month, in what police say appears to have been an accidental discharge of a firearm.
Sharad Gajera, 40, surrendered to police on Tuesday after an arrest warrant was issued against him for illegal use of a weapon in connection with the April 4 incident at Maggio’s Grocery. The shooting left his wife, Jigisha “Soniya” Gajera, with life-threatening injuries.
According to Bossier City police spokesperson Shawn Poudrier, the couple had been at the store meeting with its owner, Vince Maggio, a city councilmember, who was considering selling the business. The shooting occurred during that interaction. Police believe the weapon involved belonged to Maggio, who is known to keep firearms at the store.
“He was speaking to a customer, and somehow or another, the gentleman picked up the gun or grabbed the gun,” Poudrier told The Shreveport-Bossier City Advocate. He added that while the exact firearm is not confirmed, it appeared to be a shotgun, possibly loaded with birdshot.
A fundraiser organized by family friend Nik Patel described the incident as a “devastating gunshot accident,” stating, “The bullet passed through her jaw, causing catastrophic injuries… She survived—but her injuries are life-changing.” The fundraiser further noted that Soniya “relies on artificial nutrition, breathes through a tracheostomy, and remains in critical condition,” underscoring the severity of her injuries.
Soniya, originally from Gujarat, had recently moved to the United States and was working toward building a new life. According to the fundraiser, she had hoped to become a cosmetologist and had been supporting her family through significant personal hardships.
She was rushed to Ochsner LSU Health in Shreveport, where doctors worked through critical hours to stabilize her. Her recovery is expected to require multiple complex reconstructive procedures, including jaw and facial reconstruction.
Police have said the shooting appears to have been accidental. Poudrier noted that the delay in issuing the arrest warrant was due to the time required to obtain search warrants, review surveillance footage, and conduct interviews. “Once sufficient evidence was gathered, authorities acted promptly,” he said.
There has been no indication that Maggio is under investigation, and police said he has been cooperative. The councilmember has not commented publicly on the incident.
The investigation remains ongoing.
