Ashwin Kumar Vaghjibhai Patel, a 62-year-old Indian-American man, was found dead on January 11, 2013, in his home in Mount Holly, North Carolina. The cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds. His body was discovered by family members who had been unable to contact him and subsequently called the police. The incident marked the first homicide of the year in Gaston County.
The primary suspect in the case was Ashwin Kumar Vaghjibhai Patel's son, Jiten Patel, who was 28 years old at the
time. Jiten Patel was arrested shortly after the incident, having been found driving his father's car near Ozark Avenue in Gastonia. He was visibly upset during his court appearance, with a cast on his left arm. The police reported that Jiten Patel had shot his father and then fled the scene.
The family, who owned two businesses in Gaston County, including a BP Gas Station, was deeply affected by the tragedy. Jiten Patel had a prior criminal history, having been convicted of larceny in 2005. The case garnered significant attention, and Jiten Patel was put on trial for the murder of his father. The details of the trial and any subsequent legal proceedings were not immediately available.
This tragic event has left a lasting impact on the family and the community, highlighting the devastating consequences of familial violence.
