ROWAN COUNTY, NC (NEWS FROM QUEEN CITY) — Deputies in Rowan County believe a juvenile suspect accused of shooting and killing Mainank “Mike” Patel, the popular owner of a small supermarket, came into the store in the middle of the day on Tuesday to rob it.

Customers and coworkers say Patel would do just about anything for anyone, and the community is mourning his death.

Everyone called him “Mike.”

And the many flowers and cards on Wednesday in front of his shop, the Tobacco House, showed that he was loved.

“It impressed everyone because it was family, it was a family store,” said Ann Ellis, a customer.

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“I’m in Rowan County, I’m 71 years old, I’ve lived here practically my whole life, but I’ve never experienced anything like this,” said Patricia Howard, another customer.

Mike Patel was at work at his Airport Road supermarket on Tuesday when officials said a teenager came in to rob the store.

“A guy told me Mike had been shot,” said Javier Lopez, who worked for Patel as a lawnmower at the store.

Patel was shot.

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

After a day-long manhunt, officers arrested the teenager.

“That’s the issue that concerns all of us. We don’t know why he (Patel) was targeted,” Howard said.

Despite this tragedy, the community remembers Patel as someone who would help anyone.

Ellis told what he had done for her once just before her payday.

“I had the money for the gas and I paid for it and he told me to get a Pepsi and I got a Pepsi and he told me to get some chips and he said, ‘See you tomorrow,'” Ellis said.

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Patel was the father of one young child and another was on the way.

In their grief, citizens also remember Patel’s family and his shop employees.

“I see they’re open and I’m sure he probably would have wanted them to keep going, 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 have information on how you can help the Patel family.

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