The full story: Florida store owner accused of chasing teen and fatally striking him

WEST MELBOURNE, Fla. — October 19, 2026 — What began as a reported break-in at a Florida convenience store ended in tragedy after a 14-year-old boy was allegedly chased down and deliberately struck by the store owner’s vehicle.

The teenager, identified as Hunter Russey, died on October 17 after spending several days on life support. The following morning, police arrested 32-year-old store owner Kavan Vishnubhai Patel on a second-degree murder charge.

A Reported Break-In Turns Deadly

The incident began around 4:30 a.m. on October 13 at the Corner Store on South Wickham Road in West Melbourne, Brevard County.

According to investigators, Patel received a security alert indicating that someone might have broken into his business.

After reviewing surveillance footage, he reportedly saw a person wearing a light-colored hoodie leaving the area on an electric bicycle.

But instead of leaving the investigation to police, authorities say Patel followed the individual in his vehicle.

Investigators allege that Patel pursued the teenager for approximately half a mile before deliberately striking him along Cocoanut Grove Avenue.

According to the arrest investigation, Patel acknowledged hitting the teenager intentionally while driving at approximately 30 mph.

Police say he then drove away and returned to his business without reporting the collision or helping the injured boy.

Teenager Left Injured Along Roadside

Officers searching the surrounding neighborhood eventually discovered Russey lying unresponsive near the roadway.

Investigators said the teenager had been left without medical assistance for nearly an hour.

He was rushed to Holmes Regional Medical Center with severe injuries and later transferred to Orlando Health Children’s Arnold Palmer Hospital.

Despite medical treatment, his condition remained critical.

On Saturday evening, October 17, Russey was taken off life support and died from his injuries.

His family made the decision to donate his organs to help others.

Store Owner Now Faces Murder Charge

Patel was initially arrested on charges involving aggravated battery and leaving the scene of a serious crash.

Following the teenager’s death, authorities obtained a new arrest warrant.

He was taken into custody again on Sunday, October 18, and charged with second-degree murder.

He is being held at the Brevard County Jail without bond.

Police have not definitively established whether Russey was responsible for the reported attempted burglary.

The case raises serious questions about individuals taking the law into their own hands, particularly when a suspected property crime escalates into deadly violence.

The allegations against Patel have not been proven in court, and he is presumed innocent unless convicted.

DUANEWS — Your News. Your Voice.