ATLANTA, Ga., Jun. 30 – Interim AAHOA President and CEO, Ken Greene, issued the following statement in response to the murder over motel owner, Zeshan Chaudhry, of Vernon, Conn.:
“A life taken over a $10 pool pass dispute. When will the violence end? America’s hotel owners are shocked and outraged by this senseless act of violence against a small business owner simply doing his job. The Vernon Motel 6 owner, Zeshan Chaudhry, was only 30 years old when he was shot multiple times on Sunday. He had a long life ahead of him, and we offer our deepest sympathies to his family, and our community is mourning with them today. Hate has no place in our Members’ hotels, or in any hotels.
There has been a rise in attacks against hoteliers and an increase in anti-Asian xenophobia during the pandemic. This murder is another statistic added to the unfathomable and growing list of violent crimes. It must stop now.
Hoteliers have already been through a very stressful year and a half dealing with the setbacks of the COVID-19 pandemic. These types of crimes add another layer of unnecessary anxiety and stress. Every hotelier knows that something like this could happen to them at any time.
Another motel employee told the local news outlets Zeshan was all about the customers, trying to give them a better experience in the hotel. This statement holds true for most hotel owners, for service to others defines the spirit of hospitality.
No one should ever feel threatened at work. For trying to make a living. And over a pool pass? It is unacceptable.
We are confident that Connecticut authorities will help the Chaudhry family find justice.”
