‘This was family.’ Community crushed over slaying of Salisbury store owner, father

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. ( QUEEN CITY NEWS ) — Deputies in Rowan County say they believe a teenage suspect accused of shooting and killing Mainank “Mike” Patel, a beloved convenience store owner, came into the store in the middle of the day Tuesday to rob the place.

Customers and workers say Patel would do just about anything for anybody, and the community is in mourning over his death.

Everyone called him “Mike.”

And it’s evident by all the flowers and cards outside his store, Tobacco House, Wednesday that he was loved.

“It hit everybody because this was family, this was a community family store,” said Ann Ellis, a customer.

“I’ve been in Rowan County, I’m 71 years old, I’ve been here pretty much my whole life, I have never seen nothing like this, ever,” said Patricia Howard, another customer.

Mike Patel was at work at his convenience store on Airport Road Tuesday when deputies say a teenager came in to rob the store.

“A guy told me Mike got shot,” said Javier Lopez, who worked for Patel mowing at the store.

Patel was shot and killed.

“It’s horrible, it’s horrible,” said Howard.

After an all-day manhunt, deputies arrested the teen.

“That’s the problem we’re all having a problem with, we don’t know why he (Patel) was targeted,” said Howard.

Through the tragedy, the community remembers Patel as someone who would help out anyone.

Ellis talked about what he did for her once right before her payday.

“I had the money for my gas, and I paid for my gas, and he said go get Pepsi and I went and got a Pepsi and he said grab some chips and he said, ‘I’ll see you tomorrow,’” said Ellis.

Patel was the father of a young child with one more on the way.

As the community grieves, they’re also remembering Patel’s family and his workers at the store.

“I see they’re open, and I’m sure he would probably want them to continue on but it’s so, so sad and it’s going to be different,” said Greg Gardner, a customer. If you’re in the area and want to stop by the store, they’ll let you know how you can help the Patel family.

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