NRI convenience store manager shot dead

Virginia, March 02, 2008
Satinder Sharma

NRI Jayeshkumar Brahmbhatt, 53, a manager of a convenience store in Roanoke, Virginia, was shot dead during an attempted robbery.

According to the Police, about 4:45 p.m. om Thursday, a man walked into the store with a gun and shot Brahmbhatt. The robber fled without taking any money from the store.

The police got a tip by a caller within one hour and went to the suspects home on Westwood Boulevard Northwest. Outside the house, the police asked for the identification of Calvin Bond Watson, 51, of Roanoke but he ran. In the chase, Watson threw his gun away and the police arrested him.

On Friday, Attorney Donald Caldwell said he will seek a capital murder charge against Watson for attempted robbery, possessing a firearm as a felon and using a firearm in a felony. Watson was paroled four months ago and he was convicted in Richmond on numerous robbery charges in 1990.

NRI Brahmbhatt is survived by his wife and two daughters. He had planned to celebrate his family’s new house next week. In 2001, he moved to United States from India.

The owner of the store, Mr. Patel said that Brahmbhatt had managed the store for six years and had never been robbed before.

NRI Jayeshkumar Brahmbhatt, 53, a manager of a convenience store in Roanoke, Virginia, was shot dead
(Photo by Yogesh Mehta)