Florida Store Owner Charged with Second-Degree Murder After 14-Year-Old Boy Dies in Alleged Hit-and-Run

A Florida convenience store owner has been charged with second-degree murder following the death of a 14-year-old boy whom police allege he intentionally struck with his vehicle after suspecting the teenager of breaking into his store.

The suspect, identified as 32-year-old Kavan Vishnubhai Patel, owns a convenience store on Wickham Road in West Melbourne, Brevard County. According to police, the incident occurred in the early morning hours of October 13, when officers responded to a reported burglary at the store.

Investigators said Patel had received an alert from his security company indicating that the store’s front glass door had been broken. He reportedly told police that he had seen a person leaving the area on an electric bicycle.

Authorities later determined that the teenager had been struck by a vehicle and left injured beside the road. Police said the boy remained there for nearly an hour before an officer discovered him unresponsive.

The teenager, Hunter Russey, suffered severe injuries, including multiple skull fractures, and was transported to a hospital for emergency treatment. Despite medical efforts, he died on October 17 after his family decided to withdraw life support.

According to investigators, evidence gathered during the investigation indicated that Patel had deliberately struck the teenager with his vehicle before leaving the scene. Police also alleged that he initially failed to disclose his involvement when officers investigated the reported burglary.

Patel was initially arrested on charges related to aggravated battery and leaving the scene of a crash involving serious bodily injury. Following the teenager’s death, authorities rearrested him and upgraded the case to a second-degree murder charge. He is being held at the Brevard County jail.

The case has raised serious concerns about taking the law into one’s own hands and the legal consequences of using potentially lethal force against a suspected offender. Authorities have emphasized that allegations of wrongdoing must be investigated through lawful procedures rather than personal retaliation.

The investigation and criminal proceedings will determine the legal responsibility of the accused. Patel is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.