Juvenile charged as adult with 1st degree murder in Airport Road shooting

SALISBURY — The juvenile that was being held in the shooting death of Mainank “Mike” Patel, 36, owner of the Tobacco House store the morning of Aug. 13 has now been charged, as an adult, with first-degree murder.

Jhack Aaron Pless, 16, appeared in juvenile court Friday morning where presiding Judge Ashley Andrews issued a true bill of indictment and the case was then transferred to Rowan County Superior Court. Pless was charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon and first-degree murder. Andrews issued an $850,000 secured bond but stipulated that should Pless be able to post that bond, he will be monitored by GPS.

Pless allegedly entered House of Tobacco at 2580 Airport Road that Tuesday morning and at 11:18 a.m. a report of a shooting came in to emergency services. Patel sustained several gunshot wounds and was initially taken to Novant Health Rowan Medical Center then transported to Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte, where he died as a result of his injuries.

Evidence in the case was presented to the grand jury on Sept. 3. Pless is currently being held in the custody of the Department of Public Safety at the Stonewall Jackson Youth Development Center in Concord.

Patel is survived by his wife, Ami, their five-year-old daughter and a child on the way. There has been an outpouring of support from the community for the Patel family.

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