Gujarat woman shot dead in US store; chilling CCTV footage emerges

AHMEDABAD: A 47-year-old woman from Gujarat’s Mehsana district was shot dead by a masked assailant inside a store in the US state of Virginia, sending shockwaves through her native village in north Gujarat. The entire incident, which unfolded within 26 seconds, was captured on CCTV cameras, said sources close to the development.

The deceased, Meghna Patel, hailed from Jantral village in Vijapur taluka of Mehsana district and had been living in the United States for the past 10 years with her husband and two children. She was employed at a store in Virginia where the fatal attack took place.

According to footage that surfaced after the incident, a masked man entered the store, briefly looked around and then pulled out a firearm concealed near his waist before opening fire at close range.

After firing multiple rounds, the attacker fled the spot within seconds. Meghna collapsed inside the store and succumbed to her injuries before help could arrive.

Local police rushed to the scene soon after the firing and cordoned off the area. Investigators are examining CCTV footage and questioning witnesses to establish the motive behind the killing. Preliminary suspicion points towards a possible robbery attempt, though officials have not ruled out other angles, including personal rivalry or a targeted attack.

The incident has left members of the Gujarati community in Virginia in deep shock. Back home, grief engulfed Jantral village and nearby Jamla village, where Meghna’s maternal relatives reside. Her parents continue to live in Jantral, while her husband Upendra Patel and their children remain in the United States.

Family members said Meghna had moved to the US a decade ago in search of a better future and had been working alongside her husband to support the family. Villagers in Jantral described her as soft-spoken and hardworking.

Authorities in the US are yet to officially disclose the exact circumstances and location details surrounding the shooting.