A wave of shock has swept through the small town of Lewisburg in Tennessee after a familiar face behind the counter of a local gas station was killed during a robbery. Paresh Patel, known affectionately as “Prince” by regular customers, was working his usual late shift at the Marathon gas station on Mooresville Highway Monday night. According to investigators, what started as a routine transaction turned deadly within seconds.
Surveillance footage from inside the store shows when the suspect enters the store under the guise of being a customer, pursuing something. He selects an item and goes to the counter with it. However, instead of completing a purchase, he pulls out a gun.
Patel startled, raised his hands and began handing over cash. Despite complying, he is shot. After the shooting, the suspect steps out of the frame. Seconds later, Patel was shot again when the suspect returned to finish him off while he was lying on the ground. Patel did not survive the attack.
Authorities acted quickly and caught the thief. David Hamilton, the suspected shooter, was arrested and charged with criminal homicide. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and local police are probing the incident together, and more charges are expected.
Residents were stunned by the fatal shooting in their quiet town. “It’s a small town but a good town,” said Connie Wiser, according to USA Crime.
Customers were distraught over Patel’s death. For many, he was more than just a clerk. According to locals, he remembered regulars and made small gestures that mattered. One customer, Noble Emery, recounted how Patel would always save her favourite snacks.
Customer Ryan McDaniel expressed that Patel was an upstanding citizen with a family, to whom he sent his condolences. Patel leaves behind a wife and a young daughter, an added weight on the hearts of those who knew him. A vigil to honour Patel’s life is scheduled for Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the gas station where he worked.
