Another tragic shooting claims the lives of Gujarati immigrants in Virginia, highlighting the increasing dangers of gun violence
The Gujarati community in the US is mourning the loss of Mehsana-native Pradip Patel (56) and his daughter Urvi Patel (24), who were fatally shot at their convenience store in Virginia on March 3, reported gujaratsamachar.com.
Gun Violence Continues to Target Gujaratis in the US
The accused, George Wharton, entered the store to purchase alcohol and became agitated when he found the shop closed at night. In a shocking act of violence, he opened fire, killing both Pradip and Urvi.
This tragedy is part of a growing pattern of gun-related incidents targeting Gujaratis in the US. In 2023, Vadodara’s Ujas Mengar, a senior product manager at Volvo Trucks in North Carolina, was also shot near his home. Other victims over the years include:
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2019: Hasmukh Patel from Nadiad was murdered.
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2021: Five Gujaratis lost their lives to gun violence.
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2016: Mitesh Patel from Umreth Taluka, Kheda, was shot and killed.
The shooting of Pradip and Urvi Patel marks the tenth incident of gun violence against Gujaratis in recent years. On average, at least one Gujarati falls victim to gun-related crime in the US annually.
Escalating Gun Crime and the Impact on Gujaratis
Gun violence in the US is widespread and increasing, with 43,000 lives lost in 2023 alone. Since 2016, over a dozen attacks have specifically targeted Gujaratis, especially those working in high-risk locations like motels, gas stations, and convenience stores.
- 40% of motels in the US are owned by Gujaratis, many from Anand and Kheda districts.
- Gujaratis working in bars, gas stations, and late-night businesses often face threats from armed criminals and drug addicts.
- Since 2016, violent incidents at workplaces have doubled, with 20 major gun-related attacks in 2016 rising to 48 in 2023.
During the Covid-19 pandemic in 2019, armed robberies surged, with over 12 lakh cases reported in the US. Each violent incident sends shockwaves through both the US and India, affecting families and communities back home.
Community Awareness and Safety Concerns
To combat the rising violence, Gujarati organizations in the US are actively using social media and awareness campaigns to warn about dangerous locations and encourage stronger safety measures in workplaces. However, the increasing gun culture in the US continues to put Gujarati immigrants at risk.
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