On the night of January 20, 2023, a violent ambush in the driveway of his own home tragically ended the life of 52-year-old Pimalkumar Patel in Macon, Georgia. As Mr. Patel, his wife, Rupalben Patel, and their child were arriving at their residence on Thoroughbred Lane just after 11 p.m., they were confronted by three masked individuals armed with guns. The assailants opened fire on the family, inflicting fatal wounds on Mr. Patel and injuring his wife and child. The attackers then fled to a waiting vehicle across the street, which was occupied by a fourth person, and sped away without stealing any items from the family.
Emergency services responded to the scene to find the three family members suffering from gunshot wounds in their driveway. They were all transported to Atrium Health Navicent, where Pimalkumar Patel was pronounced dead. His wife and child were listed in stable condition and survived the horrific attack. Known affectionately as 'Mr. Pete' by customers at the Shurlington Package Store he managed, Mr. Patel was remembered as a kind and friendly man who was quick to share a joke and even help those short on cash.
The investigation into the senseless act of violence led to the identification and subsequent arrest of four suspects. The first to be taken into custody was 40-year-old Terrell Ugean Mills, who was identified as one of the individuals involved in the shooting. He was charged with felony murder and two counts of aggravated assault. Subsequently, 37-year-old Shaun Mills was apprehended by the U.S. Marshal's Fugitive Task Force in Anniston, Alabama, and faced charges of felony murder and two counts of aggravated assault.
A third suspect, 31-year-old Keith Beddingfield Jr., was arrested and charged with felony murder in September 2023. The fourth and final suspect, 20-year-old Donnie White, was arrested in March 2024 and also charged with felony murder. All four men are being held without bond. While the motive for the shooting was initially unclear, investigators have stated that they no longer believe it was a gang-related incident. The investigation remains ongoing, with the possibility of additional charges.
