Indian-American motel owner shot dead in Alabama over room rental

A 76-year-old Indian-origin man was killed in Alabama in the United States following an altercation with a customer over room rental. The deceased has been identified as Pravin Raojibhai Patel, the owner of the Hillcrest Motel.

The incident occurred in Sheffield last week. Patel was shot dead after a confrontation with a 34-year-old man identified as William Jeremy Moore, according to news portal al.com.

Moore wanted to rent a room at the motel, but soon an argument broke out with Patel. Subsequently, Moore pulled out a handgun and shot the elderly man.

Authorities stated that Moore was arrested shortly after the shooting incident while attempting to break into a nearby abandoned house.

The murder weapon was found in Moore’s possession at the time of his arrest, Sheffield Police Chief Ricky Terry said.

One of the witnesses, Jemeriz Owens, a barber who works across the street from the hotel, said he heard three consecutive gunshots.

“He (Patel) was outside. He was just trying to get somebody to leave, and they didn’t want to leave, and they shot him,” Owens told WAAY 31 news channel.

The Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) condemned the incident, labelling it a “senseless act of violence”.

AAHOA chairman Bharat Patel expressed condolences to Patel’s family, emphasising that such violence has no place in communities.

This tragic event is not the only one in America. Earlier this week, an Indian-American couple and their four-year-old twins were found dead inside their residence in San Mateo, California. A spate of such incidents recently have raised concerns about the safety and security of the people of India who are living in the US.