A 45-year-old Indian-origin woman from Gujarat was shot dead during a suspected robbery attempt at a supermarket in the US state of Virginia, according to reports. The victim, identified as Meghnaben Patel from Mehsana district in Gujarat, had reportedly been working at the store for nearly a decade. The shocking incident has triggered grief among the Indian community both in the United States and India, while disturbing CCTV footage of the attack has also surfaced online.

According to reports, the surveillance video shows an unidentified masked man entering the nearly empty store and approaching the counter where Meghnaben Patel was standing. After briefly speaking with her, the suspect allegedly pulled out a firearm and opened fire at close range. The footage reportedly shows the woman collapsing behind the counter after the first shot, while the attacker jumped over the counter and continued firing before fleeing the scene. Police suspect robbery may have been the motive behind the attack, though investigations are still ongoing.

Local police teams reached the supermarket shortly after the shooting and sealed off the area for investigation. Authorities are currently examining CCTV footage and collecting forensic evidence to identify and arrest the suspect. Meghnaben Patel is survived by her husband and two children, while her parents continue living in Gujarat’s Mehsana district. No arrests have been made so far, and police in Virginia have launched a manhunt to trace the accused seen in the surveillance footage.