Summary:
- Three Indian-origin hoteliers killed in 72 hours.
- Two shot dead in Charlotte, N.C., on Oct. 2; one killed in Pittsburgh on Oct. 3.
- At least seven Gujaratis owning or running motels have died this year, India Today reported.
THREE INDIAN-ORIGIN hoteliers — two in Charlotte, North Carolina, and one in Pittsburgh— were killed within 72 hours in separate incidents last week. The incidents occurred a month after another Indian motel manager, Chandra Mouli “Bob” Nagamallaiah, 50, was killed at his workplace in Dallas.
In Charlotte, 54-year-olds Anilkumar Patel and Pankaj Patel were shot dead on the afternoon of Oct. 2 at the Lamplighter Inn Motel, which had been closed for about a year due to unsafe conditions, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. The next day, Rakesh Patel, 51, a motel manager and partner in Pittsburgh, was shot dead on Oct. 3, Times of India reported.
AAHOA said in a statement it was “deeply impacted” by the recent violence targeting hotel owners.
"In just 72 hours last week, three hoteliers were killed — two in Charlotte and one in Pittsburgh," said AAHOA Chairman Kamalesh “KP” Patel. "These are not just statistics — these are members of our community, our friends and our colleagues. Our hearts break for the families of those who lost their lives in these tragedies. No one should ever face such danger while working to serve guests and support their families."
The association said that the deaths follow last month’s murder of a hotel manager in Dallas and the 2024 murders of member Hemant Mistry in Oklahoma City and Pravin Patel in Sheffield, Alabama.
President Donald Trump recently condemned Nagamallaiah’s beheading by his undocumented coworker, Yordanis Cobos-Martinez.
"These incidents are a critical wake-up call for law enforcement, policymakers and the broader hospitality industry," Patel continued. "AAHOA stands ready to collaborate with every level of government to confront this violence and protect the men and women who keep America's hotels open and our communities thriving."
Pittsburgh incident
Rakesh Ehagaban-Patel, originally from Rayam village near Bardoli in Gujarat’s Surat district, was shot dead outside the motel where he worked in Robinson Township, Pittsburgh. Police said Patel was responding to a disturbance when he was shot by Stanley Eugene West, 37.
CCTV footage reportedly shows West approaching Patel and shooting him at point-blank range after Patel asked if he was all right. Before that, West had allegedly shot a woman outside the motel.
West was later injured in a gunfight with police and hospitalized in critical condition. A detective and the woman were also hospitalized.
Patel’s family has lived in the U.S. for nearly three decades. He is survived by his wife, Hemu, who also works at the motel and three daughters, aged 19, 13 and 9 — Karishma, Angana and Kruti.
A memorial service was held Monday at his brother-in-law’s home in Singod village, Surat district, The Indian Express reported.
Charlotte killings
Anil Patel and Pankaj Patel were shot dead around 1:15 p.m. on Oct. 2 at the Lamplighter Inn Motel on Edelman Road in northwest Charlotte. Police responding to a 911 call found both men with multiple gunshot wounds in the motel parking lot. One died at the scene, the other at the hospital.
The suspect, Ojuna Sierra, was arrested in Florida the next day. However, the motive remains unclear, WNN reported. Local reports describe the Lamplighter Inn as a property with a history of criminal activity. It was shut down in late 2024 after repeated complaints but was reportedly undergoing renovation to reopen.
Seven Gujaratis Killed in 2025
At least seven Gujaratis operating or owning motels in the U.S. have been killed this year, according to India Today. Most attacks have been linked to robberies or disputes at motels, gas stations and convenience stores. These establishments, often located along highways or in isolated towns, are frequent sites of crimes including drug deals, break-ins and shootings, according to The New York Times.
Budget motels and gas stations in remote or low-income areas receive a disproportionate number of 911 calls, India Today reported, citing a 2021 USA Today investigation. Transient guests create anonymity, increasing the risk of criminal activity. Gujarati owners often face crime scenes, including drug overdoses and potential lawsuits linked to incidents such as human trafficking. Social media posts have highlighted security issues, including missing cameras, faulty locks and understaffing. In many motels, front desks double as living spaces for owners’ families, exposing them to risk. Critics say poorly managed motels in high-crime neighborhoods can affect entire areas.
Following the killing last year of a hotel manager in Dallas, AAHOA hosted a virtual session for hotel owners on security, due diligence and support for employees affected by workplace violence. Shootings at motels, often linked to disputes or crime-related incidents, are an ongoing concern for Indian-American motel owners.
Laura Lee Blake, AAHOA president and CEO, said the organization is shaken but resolute in its response.
"Hotel owners and operators are the backbone of America's hospitality industry and their safety must be an absolute priority,” she said. “AAHOA will immediately convene safety and security experts, coordinate with local authorities and provide hotel owners with practical tools and resources to strengthen protection measures across their properties. Together, we will honor those we've lost by ensuring their tragedies lead to meaningful and lasting change."
