Fundraiser established for slain store owner

SALISBURY — One week ago, 36-year-old Mainank Patel was shot and killed while working in his shop, Tobacco House, during an attempted robbery. Rowan County sheriff’s deputies have arrested a juvenile in connection with Patel’s death and charges are pending.

The day of the shooting, deputies initially had a 911 hang up call from the Tobacco House convenience store located at the intersection of Airport and Miller Chapel roads, said Captain Mark McDaniel, public information officer for the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office. Before they arrived, there was a second call reporting there had been a shooting at the store. When the deputies arrived, they found Patel suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, said McDaniel. Patel was taken to Novant Health Rowan Medical Center, then transported to Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte, where he died as a result of his injuries.

Patel, known affectionately to most as “Mike,” left behind a five-year-old daughter and his seven-and-a-half-month pregnant wife, Ami, along with extended family and a community of friends and neighbors. Initially, people were invited to bring donations for the Patel family to the store, but this past weekend, a group of friends and family came together to create a GoFundMe for the young family. “We come together today with heavy hearts and a profound sense of loss as we remember our dear friend, Mainank Patel, affectionately known to many as Mike,” the GoFundMe states. “At just 36 years old, Mainank was a beacon of warmth and kindness in lives of friends, family and everyone he met. He never hesitated to lend a hand or share a smile, always putting others first and spreading his compassionate spirit wherever he went. “With another baby on the way, his family now faces an unimaginable journey without him. In addition to their grief, Ami and the children are confronted with the substantial financial burden of funeral costs, medical expenses and other unforeseen challenges during this trying time. With Ami now being a sole breadwinner for the family, she will also need support for the mortgage, childcare and other household expenses.” Comments across social media reflect Patel’s giving spirit, with person after person telling stories of the time he would wait for payment, give people a break, help them get by until payday or til they could come up with the balance due. His generosity and kindness is reflected over and over again, and many were relieved to hear he had not taken his daughter to work with him that day, as he so often did. “We have created this GoFundMe campaign with the hope of easing the financial strain and providing a measure of stability for Ami and the kids. Our goal is to raise $500,000 to cover the costs associated with his passing and ensure that his family can focus on healing and moving forward,” the description says. The goal is to cover funeral and memorial costs, any outstanding medical bills or associated costs for Mike, and future support for Ami and the children in the future. To make a contribution to the Patel family, go to https://gofund.me/3271c552 .

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