In yet another tragic incident involving the Indian community in the United States, Rakesh Ehagaban, a 51-year-old Indian-origin motel owner, was shot dead on Friday after he stepped outside to check on a disturbance at his property.
According to reports, the incident took place after Rakesh heard a commotion outside his motel. When he went out to investigate, he reportedly asked the suspect, “Are you alright, bud?”
Moments later, the accused allegedly raised his gun and shot him in the head, killing him instantly.
The shooter was identified as 37-year-old Stanley Eugene West, and the entire incident was captured on surveillance cameras, as reported by India Today.
Woman Shot Before Motel Owner’s Murder
Police revealed that West had been staying at the motel for about two weeks along with a woman and a child.
Just minutes before the motel owner was killed, West allegedly shot the woman, described as his companion, in the neck while she sat in a car with the child in the parking lot.
Despite her injury, the woman managed to drive to a nearby auto service center, where police found her and rushed her to the hospital. She remains in critical condition.
After killing Ehagaban, West reportedly walked calmly to a U-Haul van parked nearby and drove away, according to a criminal complaint filed by authorities. He now faces charges of criminal homicide, attempted homicide, and reckless endangerment.
Police Chase and Shootout
Following the shooting, law enforcement agencies launched a manhunt and traced the suspect to the East Hills neighborhood of Pittsburgh. When officers attempted to apprehend him, West opened fire, leading to a gun battle.
During the exchange, a Pittsburgh detective was injured and hospitalized. West was also shot by officers, and both were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
The police are continuing their investigation and have begun reviewing CCTV footage from the motel and nearby areas to piece together the full sequence of events.
A Disturbing Pattern
This killing comes just weeks after another brutal murder of an Indian-origin motel manager in Texas, who was beheaded in front of his wife and son following a dispute with a co-worker over a washing machine. The accused in that case was arrested and charged with capital murder.
These back-to-back incidents have raised serious concerns about the safety of Indian-origin business owners and workers in the United States, particularly those running motels and convenience stores in isolated areas.