Crime · West Melbourne, FL
West Melbourne Store Owner Charged With Second-Degree Murder After Teen Killed
A 32-year-old West Melbourne, Fla., convenience store owner, Kavan Vishnubhai Patel, faces a second-degree murder charge after police say he chased down and intentionally hit 14-year-old Hunter Russey with his car around 4:30 a.m. last Tuesday. Patel reported a possible burglary at his store and allegedly pursued Russey, who was riding an e-bike, striking him at approximately 30 mph before leaving the critically injured teen on the roadside; Russey was found in a ditch about an hour later and died Saturday night after being taken off life support. Police say it remains unclear whether Russey actually attempted to break into the store. Patel admitted to officers that he intentionally hit the teenager and is being held without bond.