Sikh-American killed in Georgia store shooting

WASHINGTON: A Sikh-American was killed and another critically injured when a man opened fire in two convenience stores in the US state of Georgia.

Parmjit Singh, 44, father of two high school students, was shot multiple times on Tuesday evening at the Hi Tech Quick Stop on Burnett Ferry Road, sheriff’s officers said. The Floyd County coroner pronounced him dead on the scene.

Just 10 minutes after shooting Singh, the gunman entered another convenience store, Elm Street Food and Beverage, and stole money before shooting 30-year-old clerk Parthey Patel, sheriff’s officers said. Patel was in critical condition.

The suspect, Lamar Rashad Nicholson, 28, was arrested on multiple charges, including murder, aggravated robbery, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm while committing a crime and use of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Major Jeff Jones with the Floyd County police said officers did recover security video from the initial location and it shows the suspect walked into the store and immediately fired three shots at the Singh who was standing behind the counter, a local newspaper said.

A second employee, a female, was standing off to the side and was not injured, the newspaper reported. Jones said there was no attempt to rob the store, that Nicholson simply walked in and opened fire.