A 36-year-old Indian-origin man was shot and killed during a robbery at his convenience store in North Carolina, US.
Mainak Patel, the owner of Tobacco House on Airport Road, was gunned down early Tuesday morning, according to the Salisbury Post.
Patel was rushed to Novant Health Rowan Medical Center before being transferred to Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte, where he succumbed to his injuries.
A teenage suspect has been arrested in connection with the shooting, though his identity has not been released due to his juvenile status, according to the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office. The arrest took place Tuesday evening, but additional details have not been disclosed.
Deputies responded to the Tobacco House following a 911 hang-up call and were informed of the shooting while en route. Upon arrival, they discovered Patel with multiple gunshot wounds.
Security footage captured a tall, slender white male running across the store parking lot away from the building. He was wearing black shorts, a black hoodie, a black ski mask and white Nike tennis shoes with burgundy logos, and appeared to have a black handgun in his hand, said Captain Mark McDaniel, public information officer for the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities said that the shooting appears to have been motivated by a robbery, although the investigation is ongoing. No other injuries were reported.
Patel is survived by his wife, Ami, who is seven and a half months pregnant, and their 5-year-old daughter. The community is mourning his loss, with many expressing their grief over the death of someone they affectionately called “Mike.”
“It hit everybody because this was a family, this was a community family store,” said Ann Ellis, a customer.
“He was a super good man, good to his customers, loved his family and would have helped anyone,” said Patricia Howard, a regular customer.
“There are just no words to describe how great a guy Mike was,” added Javier Lopez, a longtime associate of the store.
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