Indian-origin motel owner shot dead shortly after asking accused 'are you okay'
PTC News Desk: A 51-year-old Indian-origin motel owner was shot dead in US on Friday after he went outside to check on a prevailing dispute.
The incident unfolded after the deceased, Rakesh Ehagaban, stepped out after hearing the commotion and asked the accused "Are you alright, bud?" before the attacker raised his gun and shot him and he died on the spot.
The shooter has been identified as 37-year-old Stanley Eugene West, who had been staying at the motel for over two weeks with a woman and a child. Shortly before shooting Ehagaban, he allegedly shot the woman—described as his companion—in the motel parking lot.
According to reports, the woman was sitting in her car with a child when West shot her in the neck. Despite her injuries, she managed to drive to a nearby auto service centre, where police later found her and took her to a hospital. She is currently receiving treatment and remains in critical condition.
After fatally shooting Ehagaban, the suspect reportedly “calmly walked to a nearby U-Haul van and drove away,” the criminal complaint stated. West now faces charges of criminal homicide, attempted homicide, and reckless endangerment.
Police later traced West to Pittsburgh’s East Hills neighbourhood, where a gunfight broke out between him and the officers. A Pittsburgh detective was injured during the exchange and taken to the hospital. West was also shot by the police, and both were transported for medical treatment.
Authorities have launched a detailed investigation into the case and are reviewing CCTV footage to piece together the sequence of events.
- With inputs from agencies
