Indian-origin store owner fatally shot by teen in North Carolina

A tragic incident unfolded on Tuesday morning in North Carolina, where a 36-year-old Indian-origin store owner was fatally shot during a robbery. Mainank Patel, the proprietor of Tobacco House located at 2580 Airport Road, succumbed to his injuries after the attack, according to local reports from the Salisbury Post.

Juvenile suspect in custody

Authorities from the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office have arrested a juvenile male in connection with the crime. Due to the suspect's age, his identity remains undisclosed. The arrest was made on Tuesday evening, but further details about the incident have not yet been released.

Captain Mark McDaniel, the public information officer for the sheriff’s office, stated that deputies initially responded to a 911 hang-up call from the Tobacco House. During their response, reports of a shooting emerged. Upon arrival, they discovered Patel with multiple gunshot wounds. Despite being rushed to Novant Health Rowan Medical Center and later to Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte, Patel was pronounced dead.

Security footage and community impact

Surveillance footage from the scene showed a slender, tall white male fleeing the area. He was dressed in black shorts, a black hoodie, a black ski mask, and white Nike tennis shoes with burgundy logos, and appeared to carry a black handgun.

While the exact motive behind the shooting is still unclear, initial indications suggest it was a robbery. No other individuals were harmed in the incident. Patel is survived by his seven-and-a-half-month pregnant wife, Ami, and their five-year-old daughter. The community is deeply grieving the loss of Patel, known affectionately as "Mike."

Community tributes

Patel was widely regarded for his generosity and kindness. "Mike" was described by customers and local residents as a family man who always went the extra mile for others. Ann Ellis, a regular customer, noted, “It hit everybody because this was a family, this was a community family store.” Javier Lopez, who has maintained the store’s grounds for years, echoed similar sentiments, expressing how Patel’s family treated everyone with warmth and respect. Patricia Howard, another loyal customer, added, “He was a super good man, good to his customers, loved his family and would have helped anyone.”