Indian American motel owner killed in Alabama

Pravin Raojibhai Patel, 76, owner of Hillcrest Motel in Sheffield, is survived by his wife and two children.

An Indian American owner of a motel in Sheffield, Alabama was shot and killed last week after a confrontation with a man who wanted to rent a room.

Pravin Raojibhai Patel, 76, owner of the Hillcrest Motel, was gunned down on Feb 8 morning, local media reported citing police Chief Ricky Terry. A short time later, police arrested William Jeremy Moore, 34.

Funeral service was held for Patel at Morrison Funeral Home in Tuscumbia, Alabama, on Feb 12. Patel is survived by his wife, Renuka, and children, Nital and Nirmal and their respective families, according to his obituary.

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Terry said Moore was arrested, following a police pursuit, on 13th Avenue after officers said he was trying to break into an abandoned house, according to al.com. He was initially held in Sheffield City Jail before transfer to the Colbert County Jail

Investigators say Moore wanted to rent a room at the motel when an altercation with Patel took place. Moore then pulled out a handgun and shot Patel.
“When searching Mr. Moore, the murder weapon was found in his possession,” Terry said.

A felony complaint states Patel tried to get Moore to leave before the shooting. Moore started to leave when he then turned and shot Patel twice in the chest, WAFF reported citing court documents.

Jemeriz Owens, who works in a barbershop across the street from the Hillcrest Motel, was cited as saying around 9:30 am he heard an argument followed by three gunshots.

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“That was pretty much it,” Owens said. “It was pretty consecutive, bow, bow, bow.” He ran to the motel and found police attending to Patel, who was dead.

“That was the shocking part, man,” said Owens. “I didn’t think it was going to be Mr. Patel. There’s always something going on over there, but that was the last thing I would’ve thought would happen.”

Owens said he remembers Patel very fondly. “Mr. Patel was a good guy man,” Owens said. “I used to see him every day. See him outside every day. He was a good guy. It’s just sad.”

AAHOA, a trade group of hotel owners, mourned the death of Patel, expressing its sadness, shock and outrage.

“Senseless acts of violence have no place in our communities, and our hearts are breaking for Pravin’s family, including his wife, children, and grandchildren,” AAHOA Chairman Bharat Patel said in a press release. “No family should have to endure what Pravin’s family is going through, and we send our condolences to everyone who knew and loved him.”

“He was a very family-oriented person, jolly, and a keen businessman,” Sanjay M. Patel, AAHOA Alabama Regional Director said. “Everyone in town knew him as a familiar face in the community after being there 40-plus years, and the family was well-known in the community for being genuine and caring.”

AAHOA President & CEO Laura Lee Blake stated: “The loss of a loved one under such circumstances is an unimaginable tragedy that no family should ever have to endure. As a long-standing businessman in his community, Pravin was known for his kindness and his beautiful family. We pray for great comfort and strength during this impossibly difficult time for those who knew and loved him, and for his legacy of service and hospitality to continue for many generations to come.”

(This story was updated on February 16, 2024)