4/21/25 UPDATE: On Sunday, April 20, Jaelynn Lowen, 21 of Danville, was arrested following the homicide of Pinakin Patel midday Thursday.
Lowen was arrested in Louisiana and will be extradited back to Danville. He is charged with second degree murder and use of a firearm in commission of a felony.
In addition to Lowen’s arrest, Keontae Tarpley, 21, was arrested on Thursday in Danville and charged with accessory after the fact.
Anyone with information is asked to please contact the Danville Police Department by either calling 911, patrol at 434-799-6510 option 4, investigations at 434-799-6508 option 3, and option 1 again, contacting Crime Stoppers at 434-793-0000, approach any officer you see, through social media, via email mailto:crimetips@danvilleva.gov, or use our crime tips app CARE at www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=818#.
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4/17/25 UPDATE: Homicide Suspect Wanted
The Danville Police Department has identified Jaelynn Lowen, 21 of Danville, as the suspect from the homicide of Pinakin Patel, 47 of Danville, midday Thursday.
Lowen is charged with second degree murder and use of a firearm in commission of a felony. He should be considered armed and dangerous.
The Department wishes to thank the community for tips leading to the location of the blue Honda Odyssey on Halifax Rd., which was identified as leaving the crime scene.
Anyone with information on Lowen’s whereabouts is asked to please contact the Danville Police Department by either calling 911, patrol at 434-799-6510 option 4, investigations at 434-799-6508option 3, and option 1 again, contacting Crime Stoppers at 434-793-0000, approach any officer you see, through social media, via email crimetips@danvilleva.gov, or use our crime tips app CARE at www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=818#.
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ORIGINAL RELEASE:
Homicide Investigation
The Danville Police Department is investigating a homicide that occurred Thursday, April 17, at 1385 South Boston Rd.
At 12:41 p.m., officers responded to a reported shooting outside of the Airport Mart Exxon.
Pinakin Patel, 47, who is associated with the store, was found in the parking lot suffering from gunshot wounds. Officers and EMS personnel provided first aid, and the victim was transported to SOVAH Danville where he was later pronounced dead.
The victim and the male suspect interacted in the parking lot over an alleged theft, resulting in the suspect shooting the victim. Following the shooting, the suspect fled the scene in a dark colored Honda Odyssey van, Virginia license plate TDM-5557, headed west on South Boston Rd.
An image of the suspect vehicle was captured by Danville PD’s new license plate reader system and is below.
Anyone with information is asked to please contact the Danville Police Department by either calling 911, patrol at 434-799-6510 option 4, investigations at 434-799-6508 option 3, and option 1 again, contacting Crime Stoppers at 434-793-0000, approach any officer you see, through social media, via email crimetips@danvilleva.gov, or use our crime tips app CARE at www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=818#.
Individuals with information leading to an arrest and conviction could be eligible for a cash reward.