<p>The External Affairs Ministry today said the county sheriff in Lancaster in the US has suggested that the killing of a 43-year-old Indian-origin store owner there may not be a hate crime.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Condoling the death of Harnish Patel, an official in the ministry said the local authorities were investigating the case and the government will remain in touch with them.<br /><br />The Indian Consulate General in Atlanta is in touch with the victim's family, he said.<br /><br />It is deputing a consular official to meet the family and offer condolences and any required assistance, the official said.<br /><br />It is also in touch with the local community organisation of expat Indians, including those from Gujarat, he added.<br /><br />Patel, the owner of a convenience store in Lancaster County, South Carolina, was found dead with gunshot wounds in the front yard of his home on Thursday, the local coroner and police officials had said.<br /><br />The incident comes just days after an Indian engineer was killed in Kansas in a hate crime shooting that had sent shockwaves across the country. </p>
<p>The External Affairs Ministry today said the county sheriff in Lancaster in the US has suggested that the killing of a 43-year-old Indian-origin store owner there may not be a hate crime.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Condoling the death of Harnish Patel, an official in the ministry said the local authorities were investigating the case and the government will remain in touch with them.<br /><br />The Indian Consulate General in Atlanta is in touch with the victim's family, he said.<br /><br />It is deputing a consular official to meet the family and offer condolences and any required assistance, the official said.<br /><br />It is also in touch with the local community organisation of expat Indians, including those from Gujarat, he added.<br /><br />Patel, the owner of a convenience store in Lancaster County, South Carolina, was found dead with gunshot wounds in the front yard of his home on Thursday, the local coroner and police officials had said.<br /><br />The incident comes just days after an Indian engineer was killed in Kansas in a hate crime shooting that had sent shockwaves across the country. </p>