Rising attacks on Gujarati motel owners shake America’s hospitality community

Violence Shadows the Patel Motel Empire in US

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<p data-start="63" data-end="480"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Gujarati motel owners, especially those belonging to the Patel community, have long dominated America&rsquo;s hospitality industry. Yet, in recent months, a disturbing pattern of violence has shaken this community. At least seven Gujarati motel owners have been killed across the United States this year, highlighting the growing dangers faced by immigrant entrepreneurs who form the backbone of America&rsquo;s motel business.</span></p>
<p data-start="482" data-end="950"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">One of the most recent cases occurred in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, where <strong data-start="561" data-end="577">Rakesh Patel</strong>, a native of Rayma village in Bardoli taluka, Surat, was shot dead inside the motel he co-managed. Earlier, on <strong data-start="689" data-end="702">October 5 </strong>, two other motel owners <strong data-start="727" data-end="758">Anil Patel and Pankaj Patel </strong>were gunned down in North Carolina. In another horrifying incident in South Carolina, a Gujarati woman and her father were shot dead inside their convenience store during a robbery attempt.</span></p>
<p data-start="952" data-end="1288"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Most of these attacks, according to investigators, are linked to robberies or violent disputes at motels, gas stations, or convenience stores businesses that are often owned by Gujaratis. Many such establishments are located in remote or high-crime areas, making them targets for theft, drug trafficking, and other illegal activities.</span></p>
<p data-start="1290" data-end="1520"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">In September 2025, a brutal killing shocked the community when <strong data-start="1353" data-end="1388">Chandramouli &ldquo;Bob&rdquo; Nagamallayya</strong>, originally from Karnataka, was found decapitated at the Dallas Downtown Suites Motel, which was owned by a Gujarati businessman.</span></p>
<h3 data-start="1522" data-end="1572"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Gujaratis Own Over 60% of Motels in the U.S.</span></h3>
<p data-start="1574" data-end="2066"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Though they make up barely 1% of the U.S. population, Gujaratis especially Patels own more than&nbsp;<strong data-start="1670" data-end="1697">60% of America&rsquo;s motels</strong>. The industry&rsquo;s appeal lies in its stable cash flow and low entry barriers, which attracted immigrant families from Gujarat as early as the 1960s. The &ldquo;Patel Motel Empire,&rdquo; as it&rsquo;s often called, grew through family cooperation and reinvestment. Families would live in a few rooms of the motel, run operations themselves, and expand business using collective savings.</span></p>
<p data-start="2068" data-end="2473"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">However, the very locations that made motels profitable highways, small towns, and low-income urban areas&mdash;have also made them magnets for crime. A 2021 USA Today investigation revealed that motels receive a disproportionate number of 911 emergency calls due to incidents involving theft, drugs, or violence. Conflicts between motel owners and long-term tenants are also common, sometimes turning deadly.</span></p>
<h3 data-start="2475" data-end="2515"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Rising Risks in the Motel Business</span></h3>
<p data-start="2517" data-end="2934"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Many motel owners frequently face drug overdoses, thefts, and violent altercations on their properties. Gujaratis, who now dominate the industry, bear the emotional and financial burden of dealing with crime scenes, lawsuits, and even human trafficking investigations tied to guests. For many families, the motel&rsquo;s front desk doubles as their living space, placing them in direct danger during robberies or attacks.</span></p>
<h3 data-start="2936" data-end="2970"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">How the Patel Monopoly Began</span></h3>
<p data-start="2972" data-end="3528"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Patel dominance in America&rsquo;s motel industry dates back to the mid-20th century. The story began with <strong data-start="3077" data-end="3099">Kanji Manchu Desai</strong>, who migrated illegally from Trinidad to the U.S. in 1934. During World War II, he managed a hotel in Sacramento after its Japanese-American owner was interned. Later, he leased the <strong data-start="3282" data-end="3318">Hotel Goldfield in San Francisco</strong>, hiring newly arrived Gujaratis and encouraging them to invest in the motel business. His advice &ldquo;If you are a Patel, rent a hotel&rdquo; became the foundation of a movement that transformed immigrant livelihoods.</span></p>
<p data-start="3530" data-end="3803"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Through shared loans and collective ownership, families began buying and managing motels. Profits from one property were used to purchase another, creating a chain reaction of growth. After U.S. immigration reforms in 1965, more Gujaratis arrived, fueling the motel boom.</span></p>
<p data-start="3805" data-end="4024"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">By the 1990s, Patels owned half of all American motels. A <strong data-start="3863" data-end="3886">1999 New York Times</strong> feature titled <em data-start="3902" data-end="3927">&ldquo;A Patel Motel Cartel?&rdquo;</em> noted how the community built a multi-billion-dollar empire through cooperation and frugality.</span></p>
<h3 data-start="4026" data-end="4067"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">From Immigrants to Industry Leaders</span></h3>
<p data-start="4069" data-end="4571"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Initially, many Gujaratis entered the U.S. as undocumented immigrants through Panama or Trinidad. Entrepreneurs like <strong data-start="4186" data-end="4202">Nanala Patel</strong>, <strong data-start="4204" data-end="4219">Kanji Desai</strong>, and <strong data-start="4225" data-end="4235">D. Lal</strong> pooled resources to buy struggling motels, employed relatives, and revived failing properties. Their model emphasized family labor, minimal expenses, and reinvestment. Today, Gujarati Americans control thousands of motels and gas stations across the country, generating billions in annual revenue and employing hundreds of thousands.</span></p>
<p data-start="4573" data-end="5051"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Organizations like the <strong data-start="4596" data-end="4647">Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA)</strong> have strengthened this network. With over <strong data-start="4690" data-end="4733">20,000 members owning 33,000 properties</strong>, AAHOA has become a powerful industry and political voice. It lobbies on behalf of hotel owners and engages in political fundraising across party lines. In 2000, U.S. President Bill Clinton appointed <strong data-start="4934" data-end="4950">Mukesh Patel</strong>, AAHOA&rsquo;s 1998&ndash;99 chairman, to the White House Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.</span></p>
<p data-start="5053" data-end="5363"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Over time, Gujaratis&rsquo; reputation for hard work and honesty reshaped American perceptions. Community leaders like <strong data-start="5166" data-end="5180">C.K. Patel</strong> and <strong data-start="5185" data-end="5200">Nixon Patel</strong> note that while racial hostility once fueled discrimination, growing political influence and education among younger generations have earned widespread respect.</span></p>
<h3 data-start="5365" data-end="5404"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Growing Threat of Hate Crimes</span></h3>
<p data-start="5406" data-end="5692"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Despite their success, Indian-origin motel owners increasingly face racism and violence, especially in smaller towns. Many believe the surge in hate crimes has been exacerbated by anti-immigrant rhetoric and political polarization since the &ldquo;Make America Great Again&rdquo; (MAGA) movement.</span></p>
<p data-start="5694" data-end="5972"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">In 2025 alone, seven Gujarati motel owners have been killed in robberies or targeted attacks. These tragedies underscore a harsh reality: while the Patel community&rsquo;s success story symbolizes the American Dream, it also exposes them to risks in an increasingly divided society.</span></p>
<h3 data-start="5974" data-end="6019"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Political Power and Community Influence</span></h3>
<p data-start="6021" data-end="6419"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">AAHOA&rsquo;s <strong data-start="6029" data-end="6065">Political Action Committee (PAC)</strong>, created in 1998, plays a significant role in U.S. politics. The committee supports candidates Democrats and Republicans alike, who advocate for small business interests. Over the years, it has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to political campaigns and hosted prominent leaders, including&nbsp;<strong data-start="6363" data-end="6382">Vivek Ramaswamy</strong> during the 2023 presidential race.</span></p>
<p data-start="6421" data-end="6704"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Patel leaders say their rising influence in Washington reflects not just business success, but also a commitment to civic engagement and advocacy. Meanwhile, Gujarati entrepreneurs continue to expand into Canada and other countries, extending the Patel motel legacy beyond America.</span></p>
<p data-start="6706" data-end="7000" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node=""><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">What began with one man&rsquo;s vision in 1934 has evolved into a $52 billion empire. Yet, the string of murders this year serves as a grim reminder that success often comes with vulnerability. Behind every &ldquo;Patel Motel&rdquo; sign is a family living their American dream and facing its darkest challenges.</span></p>
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23 ઑક્ટોબર, 2025 | 10:30 IST

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