16-year-old accused of fatally shooting North Carolina store owner to be tried as an adult, says sheriff

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. ( QUEEN CITY NEWS ) — The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office has identified a teenager who is accused of shooting and killing a Salisbury store owner and father , saying he will now be tried as an adult in the homicide case.

Jhack Aaron Pless, 16, will be tried as an adult for first-degree murder and robbery with a dangerous weapon. His bond has been set at $850,000 secured.

The deadly shooting and robbery occurred on Aug. 13, 2024, at the Tobacco House Store on Airport Road. The store owner, identified as Mainank ‘Mike’ Patel, 36, was pronounced dead at the scene. After an all-day manhunt, deputies arrested 16-year-old Pless.

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

Pless’ case has been transferred to the Rowan County Superior Court. If Pless posts bond, he will be monitored by GPS, authorities said.

He is currently being held at the Stonewall Jackson Youth Development Center in Concord.

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