Gastonia Man Denied Bond After Allegedly Killing Two Men at Charlotte Hotel
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA — A Gastonia man accused of killing two men at a northwest Charlotte hotel earlier this month has been denied bond following his first court appearance on Friday, October 17, according to the Mecklenburg County court records.
Suspect Identified as 38-Year-Old Alvaro Ozuna-Sierra
Police identified the suspect as Alvaro Ozuna-Sierra, 38, who has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deadly shooting at the Old Lamplighter Inn on Eddleman Road.
The fatal incident occurred on October 2 around 1:15 p.m., when officers from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) responded to a report of an assault with a deadly weapon at the motel.
Upon arrival, officers found two male victims, later identified as Anilkumar Patel and Pankaj Patel, both 54 years old. The victims were transported to a local hospital, where they were pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
Witnesses Describe Shooting Scene
According to an affidavit, witnesses told police that Ozuna-Sierra arrived at the motel in a black sedan, stepped out of his vehicle, and opened fire on the two men before driving away.
Two witnesses were able to identify Ozuna-Sierra as the shooter, helping detectives quickly obtain warrants for his arrest.
Following a brief search, Ozuna-Sierra was taken into custody and charged with first-degree murder. He appeared in court on Friday, where a judge denied bond, citing the severity of the charges and public safety concerns.
Victims Remembered as Dedicated Workers
Both victims, Anilkumar and Pankaj Patel, were known in the local hospitality community and had worked at several Charlotte-area motels over the years. Their deaths have left friends and colleagues mourning and calling for justice.
Authorities have not yet revealed a possible motive for the shooting, though investigators continue to gather evidence and review surveillance footage from nearby businesses.
Ongoing Investigation
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department continues to investigate the double homicide. Detectives are urging anyone with information about the shooting or the events leading up to it to contact Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.
Stay with SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com for updates on this developing story and other major crime investigations across the Carolinas.
