Our Bureau
Atlanta, GA
AAHOA issued the following statement in response to the murder of a hotel staff member who was killed on Wednesday morning in Dallas, Texas. The slaying comes after the 2024 murders of Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) Member Hemant Mistry in Oklahoma City and of Pravin R. Patel in Sheffield, AL.
An Indian national working at a motel in Dallas, Texas, was brutally killed by a Cuban migrant who had been previously released from US immigration custody after Cuba refused to accept his deportation.
Chandra Nagamallaiah, 50, was attacked with a machete outside the Downtown Suites motel in East Dallas in the early hours of 10 September, according to local police. The attack occurred in front of the victim’s wife and child following what witnesses described as an argument.
“Our hearts are absolutely broken for the victim’s family, who witnessed this unimaginable act of violence,” said AAHOA Chairman Kamalesh (KP) Patel. “Hotels are not just workplaces for our members and their teams – they are homes, businesses, and community spaces. The brutality of this crime is beyond comprehension, and our thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones, the property owners, and all staff who are grieving this senseless loss.”
AAHOA President & CEO Laura Lee Blake said, “This is one of the most horrific crimes we have seen impact a hotel workplace in recent memory. Our hotelier community is devastated, and we stand united with our member and their team during this incredibly painful time. No one should ever face such violence while simply doing their job.”
AAHOA is committed to providing immediate access to educational resources to help hoteliers and their staff manage difficult situations safely and effectively. These resources will include guidance on handling confrontational guests, de-escalating tense encounters, and strengthening hotel security protocols.
“We are committed to advocating for enhanced security measures and the implementation of comprehensive safety protocols to protect members of our community,” Patel said. “We encourage AAHOA Members and the industry to reach out for support or resources you may need during this time. AAHOA is dedicated to creating a platform where concerns can be raised and solutions collaboratively developed. Let us use this moment to reinforce our commitment to each other’s safety and well-being, continuing to foster a professional environment that preserves and upholds the integrity and resilience of our industry.”
About AAHOA
AAHOA is the largest hotel owners association in the nation, with Member-owned properties representing a significant part of the U.S. economy. AAHOA’s 20,000 members own 60% of the hotels in the United States and are responsible for 1.7% of the nation’s GDP. More than 1 million employees work at AAHOA member-owned hotels, earning $51.3 billion annually, and member-owned hotels support 4.2 million U.S. jobs across all sectors of the hospitality industry. AAHOA’s mission is to advance and protect the business interests of hotel owners through advocacy, industry leadership, professional development, member benefits, and community engagement.
