A 47-year-old woman from Gujarat’s Mehsana district was shot dead inside a store in the US state of Virginia, with the attack unfolding in less than half a minute, according to TOI sources familiar with the investigation.
CCTV footage of the incident, now circulating among community members, reportedly captured the entire sequence in just 26 seconds.
The victim, Meghna Patel, was originally from Jantral village in Vijapur taluka of Mehsana and had been living in the United States with her family for nearly a decade.
She worked at the Virginia store where the shooting took place.
According to footage reviewed by investigators, a masked man entered the store, briefly surveyed the area and then pulled out a firearm hidden near his waist before firing multiple shots at close range.
The assailant escaped immediately after the attack, leaving Meghna critically injured inside the premises.
Emergency responders reached the location soon after receiving information about the firing, but Meghna succumbed to her injuries before she could be saved, TOI further reported.
Police probe robbery angle
Authorities in Virginia have launched an investigation into the killing and are examining CCTV footage along with witness accounts to identify the attacker and determine the motive. While preliminary suspicion points towards a robbery attempt, officials are also exploring the possibility of a targeted attack or personal dispute.
The incident has deeply shaken the Gujarati community in the United States, particularly families from north Gujarat settled in Virginia. In Jantral village, news of Meghna’s death spread rapidly, casting a pall of grief over the area. Her maternal relatives, who live in nearby Jamla village, were also left devastated.
According to the report, family members said Meghna had moved to the US around 10 years ago with hopes of building a stable future for her children. Alongside her husband, Upendra Patel, she had worked continuously to support the family and establish a life abroad.
Villagers remembered her as a quiet and hardworking woman who maintained close ties with her hometown despite living overseas for years.
US authorities have not yet released detailed official information regarding the exact location of the shooting or the circumstances leading up to the attack.
