Gas station employee accused of killing family member who was his boss

KINGSBURG — Shortly after taking over the investigation into the murder of a gas station owner from local police, sheriff’s investigators arrested the victim’s relative for the crime.

Parmgit Singh Kaila, 45, of Fresno, was killed at a Shell gas station in Kingsburg on April 7. Kaila had been the owner of the Shell station for approximately one year.

Although the crime occurred within the jurisdiction of the Kingsburg Police Department, the sheriff’s department has taken over the case.

“The sheriff’s office took over the investigation because we have actual homicide detectives and more resources available,” said Deputy Chris Curtice, public information officer for the sheriff’s department. “The sheriff’s office does not charge the smaller agencies for taking over their homicide cases.”

A suspect was arrested shortly after the investigation into the murder began. Maninder Kaila, an employee at the Shell station and relative of the murder victim, was taken into custody after he stopped by the scene of the crime.

“The suspect actually called investigators with concern for the victim,” Curtice said. “He was asked to come down to the Reedley (Police Department) for an interview to which he agreed. Instead of going to the PD, he instead stopped at the original crime scene where he was taken into custody.”

The suspect was charged with one count of murder and pleaded not guilty.

No motive is being released at this time and the investigation is ongoing, Curtice said.