Indian-Origin Man And His Daughter Fatally Shot In US Store; Suspect Arrested

A 56-year-old Indian-origin man and his 24-year-old daughter were shot dead at a convenience store in the US state of Virginia, and police have arrested one person in connection with the shooting, according to media reports.

Pradipkumar Patel and his daughter were working at the store on Lankford Highway in Accomack County when the incident occurred. Accomack County is located on the Eastern Shore of Virginia.

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The Accomack County Sheriff's Office stated that deputies were called to the scene shortly after 5:30 am on March 20 following reports of a shooting victim, Shore Daily News reported. Upon arrival, deputies found an unresponsive man suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.

While searching the building, deputies also discovered a woman with gunshot wounds. The man was pronounced dead at the scene, while the woman, whose identity was not immediately released, was transported to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries.

Late Thursday, Accomack County Sheriffs announced the arrest of a suspect in connection with the shooting. George Frazier Devon Wharton, 44, of Onancock is currently being held in Accomack Jail without bond, according to Sheriff W. Todd Wessells.

Wharton has been charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, possession of a firearm by a felon, and two counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. A motive for the shooting has not yet been disclosed.

Paresh Patel, who identified himself as the store owner, confirmed that both victims were his family members, according to WAVY-TV, a television station in Virginia.

"My cousin's wife and her dad were working this morning, and some guy came here and just shot," Paresh told the TV station. "I don't know what to do."

The tragic incident has sent shockwaves through the Indian community in the United States, with the news spreading rapidly via Facebook, the report added.