Surat/Pittsburgh, October 7, 2025 — In another tragic episode of violence against Indian nationals in the United States, Rakesh Ehagaban Patel, a 51 year old motel owner from Gujarat, was shot dead in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, while responding to gunfire outside his property. This marks the third incident of an Indian killed in the US within a month — two of which involved motel owners or managers.
According to the Robinson Township Police, the shooting took place on Friday afternoon outside the motel that Patel owned and managed. The suspect, 37 year old Stanley Eugene West, had been staying at the motel with a woman and a child for about two weeks before the attack. Police said Rakesh Patel stepped outside after hearing gunshots from a quarrel between a couple and asked West, “Are you all right, bud?” when the suspect approached and shot him in the head at point blank range.
CCTV footage reportedly captured the chilling sequence of events. Before shooting Rakesh Patel, the attacker had allegedly shot a woman in the neck while she sat in her car with a child. The injured woman managed to drive to a nearby auto service center, where police and emergency responders found her in critical condition. The child was unharmed.
CCTV FOOTAGE OF THE TRAGIC INCIDENT, YOU CAN WATCH ON TIMES ON INDIA REPORT.
After the shooting, West “nonchalantly walked to a U-Haul van parked nearby and drove away,” according to the police complaint. Authorities tracked him to Pittsburgh’s East Hills neighborhood, where he engaged in a gunfight with officers. A Pittsburgh detective was shot and injured during the exchange, and West was eventually subdued and hospitalized with bullet injuries. He now faces charges of criminal homicide, attempted homicide, and reckless endangerment.
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Rakesh Patel was native of Rayam Village, Bardoli, Gujarat
Rakesh Patel hailed from Rayam village near Bardoli in Gujarat’s Surat district. He moved to the United States as a child, accompanying his mother Lalitaben Patel, and later settled in Pennsylvania. He married Hemuben (Hemu) Patel in 2001, and the couple had three daughters — Karishma (19), Angana (13), and Kruti (9).
Family members said Rakesh and Hemu jointly managed the Pittsburgh motel as partners. Hemu was present at the property when the shooting occurred and immediately alerted the police.
At their ancestral home in Surat, relatives and neighbors gathered for a memorial service at the residence of Jitendra Patel, Rakesh’s brother-in-law, in Singod village. “He went to the US as a child, studied there, and built his life from scratch. We never imagined that his life would end so brutally,” Jitendra told The Indian Express.
The family is facing multiple challenges — their eldest daughter Karishma continues to recover from 18 surgeries following a major accident in 2013, and Angana suffers from chronic kidney and lung ailments. “The whole family depended on Rakesh’s income from the motel,” Jitendra added.
Series of Killings Raise Alarm
The death of Rakesh Patel, an Indian killed in the US while running his business, follows two other high profile killings of Indian nationals in similar circumstances.
On September 10, Chandra Mouli “Bob” Nagamallaiah (50), originally from Karnataka, was beheaded by his employee at the Downtown Suites motel in Dallas, Texas. The suspect, Yordanis Cobos-Martinez, alm attacked him after being told through a translator not to use a broken washing machine.
Read More: Is America not safe?: Indian American beheaded in Dallas Motel by co-worker
In another shocking case, 27 year old Chandrashekar Pole, a student from Hyderabad, was shot dead at a Dallas gas station where he worked part-time. Chandrashekar Pole had moved to the US in 2023 to pursue higher studies and had recently completed his master’s degree while seeking full-time employment.
Read More: Indian Student Shot Dead in US: 26 Year Old Chandrashekar Pole Killed at Texas Gas Station
Growing Concern Over Safety of Indian Origin Motel Owners
The incidents have sparked growing concern among the Indian-American community, especially motel many of whom work long hours in isolated or high risk locations. According to industry estimates, Gujarati-origin entrepreneurs own nearly 60% of motels across the US, making them a significant part of the hospitality sector but also increasingly vulnerable to violent crimes.
This year alone, seven Gujarati origin individuals have been killed in motel related crimes across the United States. Community leaders have urged Indian diplomatic missions to coordinate with local law enforcement for better protection and to raise awareness about occupational safety for Indian immigrants.
Investigation Continues
The Pittsburgh police have confirmed that suspect Stanley West remains hospitalized and under custody. The woman he shot before killing Rakesh Patel continues to be treated for critical injuries. The Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C., is in touch with Patel’s family and local authorities to assist with formalities and support.
As the Patel family in Gujarat mourns their loss, the repeated pattern of Indians killed in the US especially those running small businesses underscores the pressing need for stronger safety mechanisms and community outreach in immigrant-dense industries.
