After Kansas Shooting, Now Indian-origin Businessman Shot Dead in US

New York: Days after the Kansas shooting, another Indian-origin businessman has been shot dead outside his home in South Carolina on Thursday night.

Indian communities living in the area are in a state of shock and fear more such attacks in near future.

The incident took place two days after US President Donald Trump had condemned as "hate and evil" the killing of Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, the previous Wednesday in a Kansas bar.

"I don't have any reason to believe that this was racially motivated," County Sheriff Barry Faile said on Friday.

ALSO READ: Donald Trump Condemns Kansas Shooting, Calls it 'Racially-Motivated'

The county sheriff in Kansas on Saturday reportedly said that this may not be a hate crime and local authorities are investigating the case and they will remain in touch with slain Patel's family. The Consulate General of India (CGI) in Atlanta is in touch with the victim's family, a source in the MEA said. The CGI has deputed a consular official to meet the bereaved family and offer condolences and assist them in case of need. It is also in touch with the local community organisation of expat Indians, including those from Gujarat.

In the February 22 Kansas killing, Kuchibhotla was shot dead by a man screaming, "Get out of my country".

Another Indian Alok Madasani, who was with the victim at a bar, and an American, Ian Grillot, who tried to stop the shooting, were also shot and injured.

ALSO READ: Kansas Man Charged With Killing Indian in Possible Hate Crime

Adam Purinton, a white and a former Navy SEAL was arrested and charged with murder. He had reportedly said that he had shot two Iranians after shooting the Indians.

The hate crime was condemned by leaders in both the US and India.

In his State of the Union address to the joint session of the Congress on February 28, Trump said: "Last week's shooting in Kansas City, remind us that while we may be a Nation divided on policies, we are a country that stands united in condemning hate and evil in all its forms."

His store was close to the Sheriff's office and deputies often frequented the store.

Faile said on TV that Patel was a "great family man" and a friend.

The station said that Patel was survived by his wife and child in elementary school, who were at home when he was killed.

People had created an impromptu shrine outside Patel's Speed Mart store by leaving balloons and flowers in his memory, the station said. A sign on door read, "Store closed for few days because of family emergency. Sorry for the inconvenience."

On Thursday night a woman called the police and said that she heard screaming and gunshots and when sheriff's deputies arrived there they found Patel dead from apparent gunshot wounds a few feet from his house, WBTV reported.

Police found two shell casings at the crime scene. A police dog could not pick up any scent to follow from there, WSOCTV reported.