'Lying unresponsive in parking lot': Gujarati woman gunned down in US; locals described her as hardworking immigrant

AHMEDABAD: A Gujarati woman was shot dead during a robbery attempt at her convenience store in Union County late Tuesday night.The victim was identified as Kiran Patel, 49, who ran DD's Food Mart on South Pinckney Street. Police said they received a call around 10.30pm about a man firing shots outside the store. When officers arrived, they found Patel lying unresponsive in the parking lot with gunshot wounds. Emergency medical services later confirmed her death.

According to investigators, surveillance video captured the sequence of events. A masked man entered the store with a gun and demanded money from Patel, who was working alone. During the confrontation, the assailant fired a shot, and Patel tried to resist by throwing something at him. The robber then climbed onto the cash register counter and fired multiple rounds inside the store. Patel attempted to flee towards the parking lot, but the gunman chased her, continuing to shoot. She collapsed just 20 feet away from the store entrance after being struck by bullets. Officers also recovered shell casings and found the store's front window shattered.

The Union County coroner's office confirmed Patel's identity and said she suffered fatal injuries from the gunfire. This tragedy comes at a time when the US is witnessing renewed debate over gun control laws. South Carolina, like many states, allows relatively easy access to firearms, and incidents of violence at small businesses have become frequent. Community members described Patel as a hardworking immigrant who ran the store for years and was well-known in the area.The Union Public Safety Department has launched a manhunt for the suspect, who fled the scene after the shooting. Police said they are reviewing CCTV footage and have appealed to the public for information.