Parmjit Singh, a 44-year-old Indian-American man, was a hardworking and personable figure in his Rome, Georgia community. He had immigrated to the United States about two decades prior and, after starting as a limousine driver in New York, had built a life for himself and his family in the convenience store business. He eventually moved to Rome to be closer to family, where he owned two stores, including the Hi-Tech Quick Stop on Burnett Ferry Road. Known for his friendly demeanor and for working long hours, Singh was a father of two high school students and had recently achieved his goal of buying a house with his wife of 20 years.
On the evening of February 6, 2018, the life Singh had built was tragically cut short. A man entered the Hi-Tech Quick Stop and, without any apparent attempt at robbery or altercation, shot Singh multiple times. The assailant was in the store for less than twelve seconds. Singh was pronounced dead at the scene by the Floyd County coroner. The gunman, identified as Lamar Rashad Nicholson, then proceeded to a second convenience store, the Elm Street Food and Beverage, where he robbed the store and shot the clerk, Parthey Patel, who was left in critical condition.
The investigation into the violent crime spree led to the swift apprehension of Lamar Rashad Nicholson, a 28-year-old with a criminal history. He was arrested during a traffic stop, where police discovered a handgun and a large sum of cash in his vehicle. Nicholson was subsequently charged with a litany of offenses, including murder, aggravated robbery, and aggravated assault.
In April 2019, Lamar Rashad Nicholson was convicted for the murder of Parmjit Singh. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus an additional five years. For the subsequent shooting and robbery that left Parthey Patel critically injured, Nicholson received an additional life sentence. During the sentencing, members of Singh's family addressed the court, and upon hearing his sentence, Nicholson expressed his disagreement and gestured obscenely towards the judge.
