Pinakin Patel, 47, was shot and killed outside the Airport Mart Exxon on South Boston Road in Danville, Virginia on April 17, 2025. A native of Vadodara, India, Patel worked with his wife at the family’s convenience store and gas station and is survived by his wife and two children. The confrontation began after a customer, identified as 21-year-old Jaelynn Lowen, became agitated when asked for identification while buying cigarettes and left the store with unpaid items. Patel followed the customer into the parking lot and reportedly stood in front of a blue Honda Odyssey to stop him. Surveillance footage shows the suspect exit the vehicle and shoot Patel multiple times. Emergency responders found Patel at about 12:41 p.m.; he was taken to SOVAH Danville and later pronounced dead.

Danville police used the city’s license plate reader system and public tips to locate the Honda Odyssey and identify Jaelynn Lowen as the primary suspect. A warrant was issued charging Lowen with second-degree murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Another 21-year-old, Keontae Tarpley, was arrested and charged as an accessory after the fact. Lowen was apprehended in Louisiana on April 20 and is awaiting extradition; a judge denied bond at a subsequent hearing and a preliminary hearing is scheduled. Anyone who knew Pinakin Patel, witnessed the incident, or has information that could help is asked to come forward.