NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Norfolk, VA, May 26, 2026 — An Indian-origin woman from Gujarat was shot and killed while working at a Virginia convenience store after a man who had allegedly shot his stepfather during a domestic dispute entered the business and opened fire, according to police and local reports.
Meghnaben Patel, 45, was working at Fat Philly’s convenience store at 2700 Azalea Garden Road in Norfolk when the shooting occurred on the morning of May 23. Patel had reportedly worked at the store for the past 10 years.
Police said the sequence of events began around 8:13 a.m. when officers responded to a home in the 3100 block of Blackwood Avenue following reports of a domestic dispute involving a stepson and stepfather.
According to investigators, the stepson allegedly shot his 45-year-old stepfather, who suffered a non-life-threatening gunshot wound and was transported to a hospital for treatment. The suspect had already fled by the time officers arrived.
About 25 minutes later, at approximately 8:38 a.m., police received reports of a shooting victim inside Fat Philly’s.
Officers arriving at the business found Patel suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said preliminary findings indicate that the suspect entered the business and became involved in an altercation with Patel before the shooting occurred. Authorities have not publicly released additional details regarding the interaction.
Surveillance footage circulating online reportedly showed a masked man entering the store, approaching the counter and opening fire before fleeing the scene.
A short time later, officers responded to reports of a vehicle left running in a roadway. There, they found the suspect suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said the investigation remains active.
