'Senseless acts of violence:' Indian-origin motel owner shot dead in US

NEW DELHI: A 76-year-old Indian-origin motel owner in Alabama, Pravin Raojibhai Patel, was fatally shot by a customer during an argument over a room.
William Jeremy Moore, 34, was arrested for the shooting, which took place at the Hillcrest Motel in Sheffield.
According to Sheffield Police chief Ricky Terry, Moore arrived at the motel looking to rent a room but an altercation broke out.Moore then pulled out a gun and shot Patel.
"Moore was quickly apprehended by Sheffield Police on 13th Avenue when he was trying to break into an abandoned house, " Sheffield Police chief said.

Three gunshots were fired according to witnesses who heard the firing. Jemeriz Owens, a barber working across the street said "I heard three gunshots," Owens recounted, visibly shaken. "I can't believe it; he was just doing his job."
The Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) released a statement expressing their deep sadness and outrage at the violence that led to Patel's death.
"Senseless acts of violence have no place in our communities, and our hearts are breaking for Pravin's family, including his wife, children, and grandchildren," said AAHOA Chairman Bharat Patel.
"No family should have to endure what Pravin's family is going through, and we send our condolences to everyone who knew and loved him."
This incident happens after a series of tragic events involving Indian or Indian-American individuals in recent months.
A family of Indian origin, including their 4-year-old twin boys, was found dead in California in what the police are investigating as a murder-suicide. In Washington, a 41-year-old Indian-origin IT executive died after being assaulted outside a restaurant.
In Chicago, an Indian student was attacked by robbers, and in Georgia, a homeless drug addict fatally attacked another Indian student. While authorities have ruled out foul play in the case of a student found dead in Ohio, other cases, such as the death of a student at Purdue University in Indiana and the death of an 18-year-old student with hypothermia in Illinois, remain under investigation.
(with input from agency)