A 21-year-old man, Zaedan Mack Hill, has been arrested and charged in connection with the killing of Kiran Patel, a 49-year-old woman of Gujarati origin, in Union County, South Carolina. 
Hill is also linked to another shooting incident on the same day.
The Shooting of Kiran Patel
On September 16, police discovered Charles Nathan Crosby unresponsive in a yard on South Mountain Street. 
Later that evening, Kiran Patel was shot in the parking lot of DD&rsquo;s Food Mart, where she worked. 
She later succumbed to her injuries.
According to a GoFundMe page, the incident occurred around 10:30 pm while Patel was counting cash at the store&rsquo;s register. 
Hill allegedly approached her, climbed onto the counter, and shot her before she could hand over the money.
During the attack, Patel reportedly threw a plastic bottle at the assailant and ran towards the parking lot to escape. 
Hill chased her, continuing to fire shots. 
Patel was struck by a bullet about twenty feet away from the store and collapsed.
Witness accounts suggest Hill fled the scene but returned shortly after to fire another shot at Patel, who was lying unconscious on the ground.
Arrest of the Suspect
On Thursday, law enforcement officers, including the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), SWAT, and Union Public Safety, executed a search and arrest warrant at a residence on South Church Street.&nbsp;
A standoff between Hill and officers lasted several hours before he was finally taken into custody.
Hill has been booked into the Union County Jail and faces murder charges in connection with Patel&rsquo;s death.

Suspect arrested after shooting Gujarati woman USA

Zaedan Mack Hill arrested for killing Gujarati woman Kiran Patel in South Carolina

Suspect Arrested In Gujarati Woman’s Killing, USA

Zaedan Mack Hill arrested for killing Gujarati woman Kiran Patel in South Carolina

September 21, 2025 | 16:03 IST