Indian-American Store Owner Shot Dead in Tennessee; Daughter Present

Suresh Parsottamdas Patel, a 62-year-old businessman from Aakhaj village in Mehsana, Gujarat, was shot dead inside his store in Jackson, Tennessee, on the night of August 20, 2026. His 19-year-old daughter was present during the incident, according to multiple reports.

Patel had been living in the United States for nearly 30 years and had recently started a new business in Jackson City just a week before the shooting, as per accounts from village residents and local officials.

The Incident

According to a release from the City of Jackson Police Department, officers responded to a call regarding a robbery and shooting at the business at approximately 9:00 p.m. on August 20. Witnesses told police that an unidentified suspect entered the establishment, brandished a weapon, and demanded cash from employees. After taking money, the suspect fired multiple shots, striking one of the store employees. The victim was found deceased and identified as Suresh Patel.

The police described the suspect as a black male wearing a gray hoodie, jeans, and black work-style boots, with his face covered in a paintball-style mask. The suspect was seen fleeing the business in a white sedan.

Local news channel WBBJ7 reported that Patel had taken over 'Ridgecrest Cellars Wine & Spirits' as its new owner only the previous Monday.

Community Reaction

Village resident Dinesh Suthar, a sitting member of Mehsana Taluka Panchayat from Akhaj village, expressed grief over the incident. "A pall of gloom has descended over Aakhaj village in Mehsana district following the tragic news," Suthar said. He added that Patel had been running a store in Chicago before starting the new liquor store in Jackson City just seven days prior.

Suthar noted that the incident occurred at the time of closing the store. He said that since Patel's entire family is in the US, the funeral rites will be carried out there.

Suthar also mentioned that many people from Mehsana are settled in the US and that he learned about Patel's murder through those circles. He said the incident has left villagers deeply concerned, with fear and anxiety growing over such crimes reported in the United States.

Investigation Ongoing

The shooting remains under investigation, according to the City of Jackson Police Department. The police department had released details about the incident on its Facebook page on Saturday.

Authorities have not yet announced any arrests in connection with the case.