PITTSBURGH, Pa. (Diya TV) — An Indian-origin motel owner was shot dead at point-blank range in Pittsburgh on Friday afternoon, marking another tragic killing of a member of the Indian American community in the United States. Rakesh Ehagaban-Patel, 51, originally from Rayam village near Bardoli in Gujarat’s Surat district, was fatally shot outside the Pittsburgh Motel in Robinson Township. Patel, who managed the motel, stepped out to investigate a disturbance in the parking lot when he was attacked.

According to surveillance footage and a criminal complaint, Patel calmly walked outside after hearing gunshots. He approached the shooter, later identified as Stanley Eugene West, and asked, “Are you alright, bud?” Seconds later, West fired at him at point-blank range, killing him instantly. The shocking incident was captured on video and widely circulated on social media, showing Patel’s final moments before the fatal shooting.

Authorities said West had been staying at the Pittsburgh Motel for about two weeks with a woman and a child. Moments before shooting Patel, West allegedly shot the woman, believed to be his companion, as she sat in a black sedan with a child inside. The woman was struck in the neck but managed to drive to a nearby auto service center for help. Police found her there around 1 p.m. local time. She was taken to a hospital in critical condition, while the child was unharmed.

After shooting Patel, West reportedly “nonchalantly walked to a U-Haul van parked nearby and drove away,” according to police documents. Officers pursued him to Pittsburgh’s East Hills neighborhood, where a gunfight broke out. A Pittsburgh detective was injured during the exchange and hospitalized. West was later taken into custody.

West faces multiple charges, including criminal homicide, attempted homicide, and recklessly endangering another person. Police said they are still investigating the motive behind the shooting. The Allegheny County Police Department is reviewing the surveillance footage and other evidence. Authorities have not released details about the condition of the injured woman, but confirmed that the child with her was not physically harmed.

Patel’s death adds to a growing list of violent incidents involving Indian-origin motel owners across the United States. According to reports, at least seven people of Gujarati origin have been killed in motel-related crimes this year alone. The tragedy comes only weeks after another gruesome killing — that of Chandramouli Nagamallaiah, a 50-year-old Indian man who was beheaded at a Dallas motel in front of his wife and son following a dispute over a broken washing machine.

The rising number of attacks has left the Indian American business community shaken. Gujaratis, who own nearly 60 percent of motels across the United States, have expressed growing concern about safety and lack of protection in the hospitality sector. Local Indian community leaders in Pennsylvania described Patel as a hardworking and kind man who treated guests like family. “He was known for his generosity and calm nature,” said one community member who visited the motel after the incident.

Despite repeated calls for better protection and diplomatic attention, many Indian Americans believe the issue remains largely ignored. “No one speaks up. These crimes keep happening,” said a friend of Patel’s family. As of now, the Indian government has not issued an official statement regarding Patel’s killing. The Consulate General of India in New York is expected to reach out to the victim’s family.

The murder of Rakesh Patel underscores the increasing vulnerability of Indian-origin business owners in the United States. From robberies to targeted attacks, many of these crimes occur in small towns and suburbs where Indian Americans operate family-owned motels and convenience stores.

Community leaders are urging authorities to strengthen security measures and address the risks faced by immigrant entrepreneurs. Patel’s death, they say, should serve as a wake-up call for both U.S. officials and the Indian government to take coordinated action.