Suresh Patel was a 56-year-old man from Gujarat's Mehsana district who had been living in the United States for around 30 years.
Patel had recently taken over Ridgecrest Cellars Wine and Spirits, a store on Ridgecrest Road in Jackson, Tennessee. According to local television station WBBJ, he had become the new owner only days before the fatal shooting.
Reports from Gujarat have linked Patel to Akhaj village in Mehsana taluka. The Indian Express reported that he had moved to the US around three decades ago.
His death has since drawn attention in his native Gujarat as details of the shooting emerged.
What Happened To Suresh Patel?
The shooting happened at around 9pm local time on Thursday, 20 August, at Ridgecrest Cellars in Jackson.
According to the Jackson Police Department, officers were called to the business following reports of a robbery and shooting. Witnesses told police that an unidentified suspect entered the store, displayed a weapon and demanded cash from employees.
Police said the suspect took the money and then fired multiple shots, striking Patel. He was found dead at the scene.
The investigation remains ongoing, and police have not publicly identified or arrested a suspect.
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Patel's Daughter Was Reportedly Standing Beside Him
Patel's 19-year-old daughter was reportedly inside the store when the shooting occurred.
WBBJ reported that she was standing next to her father when he was shot. She was not physically injured in the incident.
A 70-year-old employee was also reportedly present. According to WBBJ, she fell during the incident and suffered a broken wrist.
The detail about Patel's daughter has become one of the most notable aspects of the case, but the circumstances surrounding exactly what she witnessed remain based on reports rather than a publicly released detailed witness account.
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Who Shot Suresh Patel?
Police have not identified the person responsible.
The Jackson Police Department described the suspect as a man wearing a grey hoodie, jeans and black work-style boots. His face was covered with what police described as a paintball-style mask.
Police said he fled the store in a white sedan after the shooting. Authorities have appealed to anyone with information to contact investigators.
At present, there is no publicly reported arrest or confirmed identification of the suspect.
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What Was The Motive?
Police have described the incident as an armed robbery and shooting.
According to the police account, the suspect demanded cash before firing multiple shots after receiving the money. However, authorities have not publicly established any further motive beyond the reported robbery.
The investigation is continuing.
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TL;DR | News At a Glance
Suresh Patel, 56, was shot dead during an armed robbery at Ridgecrest Cellars in Jackson, Tennessee, on 20 August 2026.
Patel was from Gujarat's Mehsana district and had reportedly lived in the US for around three decades.
He had taken over the store only days before the shooting, according to local reports.
Police said an unidentified masked man entered the store, demanded cash and then fired multiple shots.
Patel's 19-year-old daughter was reportedly standing beside him when the shooting happened and was not physically injured.
The suspect fled in a white sedan and remains unidentified, with the investigation ongoing.
What We Know About The Investigation
The Jackson Police Department is investigating the shooting and has released details about the suspect in an effort to identify him.
Anyone with information about the incident or the suspect has been asked to contact the Jackson Police Department or Crime Stoppers. Callers to Crime Stoppers may remain anonymous.
For now, the case remains under investigation, with no suspect publicly identified or arrested.
Why The Story Is Drawing Attention In Gujarat
Patel's connection to Gujarat has brought the Tennessee shooting into focus in India.
The Indian Express reported that Patel was from Akhaj village in Mehsana district and had moved to the US around 30 years ago. A local police official said he had not yet received official information about Patel's death when contacted by the newspaper.
Patel's recent takeover of the Tennessee store also adds a significant detail to the timeline: he had reportedly become its owner only days before he was killed.
The circumstances of the shooting, including the identity of the person responsible, remain under investigation.
