In the coastal town of Depoe Bay, Oregon, a dispute between a motel owner and his employee escalated into a fatal shooting on the morning of January 30, 2025. Sarabjit Singh Panesar, a 44-year-old Southwest Asian male, was shot and killed at his business, the Four Winds Inn. The incident led to a police chase and the arrest of a suspect.
According to police reports, an argument broke out between Panesar and his employee, 29-year-old Brennon M. Neal, over job-related issues.
A witness reported seeing the two men pushing each other in the motel office at approximately 10:17 a.m. The altercation took a tragic turn when Neal allegedly pulled out a handgun and shot Panesar multiple times. After the shooting, Neal was reportedly seen taking money from the cash register and shoving papers into Panesar's mouth.
Following the incident, Neal fled the scene in a dark grey sedan, leading to a 35-mile police chase. Officers from multiple agencies pursued Neal as he drove north out of Depoe Bay. The chase ended when police successfully used spike strips and a vehicle redirect maneuver to stop his car. Neal was taken into custody without further incident and lodged at the Lincoln County jail.
Brennon M. Neal faces several charges, including second-degree murder, unlawful use of a weapon, robbery in the first degree, and attempting to elude police. Another employee told investigators that Neal had told others he was going to kill his boss and had purchased a handgun prior to the shooting. Neal's girlfriend also informed police that he had been fired from the motel before the fatal argument.
