On the morning of March 20, 2025, Shore Stop convenience store owners Pradipkumar Ratilal Patel, 56, and his daughter Urmi Patel, 24, were preparing to open their Accomac, Virginia, store when a customer entered and a confrontation began. The man, identified as 44-year-old George Frazier Devon Wharton of Onancock, reportedly argued about why the store did not sell alcohol overnight. The argument escalated and Wharton allegedly opened fire.

Pradipkumar Patel was shot twice in the chest and died at the scene. Urmi Patel was critically wounded by a gunshot to the head and was airlifted to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, where she died two days later. The family, who had moved from Mehsana district in Gujarat, India, had lived in the United States for six years and were described as hardworking members of the local Indian American community.

Police arrested Wharton and he was jailed in Accomack County without bond, charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, two counts of using a firearm in the commission of a felony, and possession of a firearm by a felon. Authorities have not announced an official motive beyond reports that the dispute began over the store’s alcohol sales hours.

Did anyone in the area see the confrontation at Shore Stop that morning or have information about the events leading up to the shooting?