Gas station owner killed in apparent robbery at Columbus bank

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WTVM) - Authorities are investigating after a gas station owner was fatally shot at a bank in east Columbus.

The Muscogee County Coroner’s Officer confirms 45-year-old Amit Patel was killed at Synovus Bank on Buena Vista Road Monday morning. Columbus police said EMS was unable to resuscitate him. He was pronounced dead at the front door of the bank shortly after 10 a.m.

Patel was the owner of the Chevron gas station at the corner of Steam Mill Road and Buena Vista Road. He was gunned down at the bank which is housed in the same building as the Columbus Police Department’s east precinct.

The coroner’s office tells News Leader 9 this was an apparent robbery as Patel was making the weekend deposit.

His business partner, Vinnie Patel, says the victim made the deposit weekly and was planning to celebrate his 3-year-old daughter’s birthday today.

“This was typical. He usually makes the deposit on Monday for the week after the weekends,” Patel said. “She will never forget what happened to her father on her birthday.”

Amit Patel leaves behind a wife and a daughter.

No arrests have been made.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call Detective S. Hayes at 706-225-4268 or email shayes@columbusga.org. Anonymous tips can be given by calling 706-653-3188 or texting VACS and your message to 274637.

To donate to the GoFundMe for Amit’s family, visit here.

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