Convenience stores and gas stations are hotspots for burglars.
The killing of Vikram Jaryal in Yakima, Washington, once again underlines the dangers of working at convenience stores, considered among the most dangerous work places in America. The Hoshiarpur, Punjab, native was the fifth Indian American, or Indian national killed in the past two years at convenience stores across the United Sates.
According to Yakima Police, the 25-year-old was shot by two hooded assailants in Yakima, at 2 AM this past Thursday. Â Indian media reports indicate that Jaryal was in the United States on a vacation, and the gas station where he was shot is owned by a friend.
RELATED: Another Indian shot dead in Washington state (April 8, 2017)
Yakima is roughly 140 miles to the southeast of Seattle and 180 miles to the northeast of Portland, OR.
Jaryal, who had been in the United States for less than a month, told police, before he died at a local hospital, that he was attacked by two people wearing masks.
Convenience stores and gas stations are hotspots for burglars, ranging cigarette thieves to armed robbers.
Data compiled by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statics, and analyzed by The American Bazaar, showed that there were 46 shooting deaths in convenient stores and gas stations across the country in 2015, the last year for which complete data is available.
Last month, Harnish Patel, a convenience store owner was shot and killed outside his home in Lancaster, South Carolina month. The Lancaster Police said although they have “developed and received leads from many sources,†no arrests have been made so far.
Sanjay Patel, 39, a gas station clerk in New Haven, Connecticut, was killed on April 6, 2015. He sustained three shots to his chest and one to his hand, and was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. According to witnesses, two masked men, dressed in dark clothing, were involved in the crime.
Hours later, Rajesh Madala, 35, was murdered during another gas station robbery in Peoria, Illinois. The suspect, a white male, was tracked down by police and slain during an exchange of gunfire.
RELATED: Two Indian Americans killed in Connecticut, Illinois, during robberies at gas stations (April 8, 2015)
On April 30, Mradulaben Patel, 59, a store clerk was shot in the head during an attempted robbery of a South Carolina BP. She died on May 2. Patel was shot when she refused to give money to her assailant, who had pulled a handgun and pointed it at her. Â Justin Jamal Warner, 25, was arrested in connection with the murder.
Two months later, on June 22, 2015, Hardip Singh, a 46-year-old clerk at a Big Red gas station Arkansas was shot dead by gunmen. He was shot multiple times, and was pronounced dead at the scene.  Two men — Lorenzo Kellon and Sha’Quile Ali Carter — were arrested in connection with the murder.
RELATED: Two arrested in murder of Indian American store clerk in Arkansas Hardip Singh (July 1, 2015)