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The deceased man has been identified as Pradipkumar Patel. He, along with his daughter, was working at the store on Lankford Highway in Accomack County when the shooting took place.
US Shooting victims (Courtesy: X/@AcharyaJay22_17)
US Shooting: A 56-year-old man and his 2-year-old daughter were killed at a convenience store in the US state of Virginia following a shooting at the store. The incident took place on March 20 (local time), when Pradipkumar Patel and his daughter were working at the store on Lankford Highway in Accomack County.
The officials have arrested one suspect, in the case, as per media reports. Identified as George Frazier Devon Wharton, 44, of Onancock, he is currently held in Accomack Jail without bond, according to Sheriff W Todd Wessells.
He faced charges of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, illegal possession of a firearm as a convicted felon, and two counts of using a firearm during the commission of a felony.
According to the Accomack County Sheriff’s office cited by Shore Daily News, the deputies were called to the scene shortly after 5:30 am on March 20 on reports of a shooting victim, Shore Daily News reported.
When they arrived, deputies discovered an unresponsive man suffering from apparent gunshot wounds, it said.
While searching the building, deputies found a woman suffering from apparent gunshot wounds as well.
The man was declared dead at the spot, while the woman, who was not identified, was rushed to the Sentara Norfolk General Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries, the report said.
The shooting’s motive remained unclear at the time. Paresh Patel, who identified himself as the owner of the store, shared with WAVY-TV, a Virginia-based television station, that the two victims were his family members.
“My cousin’s wife and her dad were working this morning, and some guy came here and just shot,” Paresh was quoted as saying. “I don’t know what to do.” The incident deeply impacted the Indian community in the United States after the news was shared on Facebook, according to the report.
(With inputs from AP)