NORFOLK, Va. (Diya TV) — Meghnaben Patel, 45, an Indian-origin woman from Gujarat, was shot and killed while working at Fat Philly’s convenience store in Norfolk, Virginia. Patel had worked at the store for approximately ten years.

According to Norfolk police, 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. Investigators say a stepson allegedly shot his 45-year-old stepfather during the altercation. The stepfather suffered a non-life-threatening gunshot wound and was transported to a hospital. The suspect then fled the scene and entered Fat Philly’s convenience store, where he became involved in an altercation with Patel before opening fire. The suspect later died by suicide. Police have not publicly released additional details about the interaction inside the store.

CCTV footage from inside the store has circulated widely on social media. The video shows a man dressed in animal-print track pants, a grey jacket, gloves, a face mask, and a cap entering the store and approaching the counter. He briefly spoke with Patel before pulling out a gun and firing. After the shooting, the suspect is seen moving behind the counter before fleeing. Patel was critically wounded and was declared dead shortly after.

Patel was originally from Jantral village in the Vijapur area of Mehsana district in Gujarat, India. She had been living in the United States with her family for over ten years. She is survived by her husband, Upendrabhai Patel, a son, Smit, and a daughter, Nakshiben. Her parents, Karsanbhai Patel and Kapilaben, reside in Jantral and were informed of her death following the incident.

The shooting has drawn attention in India, where her death has been widely reported. The incident has renewed discussion about the safety of Non-Resident Indians working in the United States, particularly those employed in small retail businesses. According to data from India’s Ministry of External Affairs, at least 160 Indian nationals were killed in the United States between 2020 and 2025 from causes including shootings, robbery, road accidents, and drug overdose.

An investigation is ongoing. Norfolk police have not released the identity of the suspect.