Pittsburgh Motel Owner Shot Dead After Intervening To Stop Violence

India-West News Desk

PITTSBURGH, PA— Rakesh Ehagaban, 51, the owner and manager of the Pittsburgh Motel in Robinson Township, was fatally shot at point-blank range on the afternoon of October 3 after stepping outside to check on a disturbance, according to a criminal complaint cited by local media.

Police said Ehagaban approached Stanley Eugene West, 37, who had been staying at the motel for about two weeks with a woman and a child, while trying to intervene in an escalating dispute. Surveillance footage reportedly shows Ehagaban asking, “Are you alright, bud?” moments before West shot him in the head. Ehagaban died at the scene.

The violence unfolded shortly after West allegedly shot a woman described as his companion in the motel parking lot. Investigators said the woman was sitting in her black sedan with a child inside when West fired, striking her in the neck. She was able to drive to Dick Kernick Tire & Auto Service Center, where she was taken to a hospital in critical condition. The child was unharmed.

Following the shooting of Ehagaban, West left in a U-Haul van. Police later tracked him where he exchanged gunfire with officers. During the confrontation, a Pittsburgh detective was shot and hospitalized. West was also injured and taken into custody.

Police have charged West with criminal homicide, attempted homicide, and recklessly endangering another person. According to the arrest papers, his actions were deliberate and unprovoked.