Boy, 16, is held after shopkeeper dies in cigarette paper row
A TEENAGE boy has been held on suspicion of murder after a shopkeeper was killed for “refusing to sell cigarette papers” to a gang of youths.
Father-of-two Vijay Patel, 49, suffered a single fatal blow which sent him crashing to the ground and died in hospital on Monday.
Police said three teenage boys were suspected of targeting Mr Patel after he refused to sell them several items at a north London shop, including cigarette papers, because they could not provide proof of age.
Officers arrested a 16-yearold boy on suspicion of murder, and are continuing to hunt the other two suspects.
Detective Inspector Ian Lott said: “At this stage we believe this to be an unprovoked spontaneous incident sparked entirely by refusal to let the suspects buy what they wanted. A man has lost his life for no reason other than trying to uphold the law.”
Mr Patel, from Colindale, north London, had been working with the owner of the shop on nearby The Broadway in Mill Hill late on Saturday when the boys came in.
A police spokesman said: “The three were unhappy about the decision [not to sell them cigarette papers] and became aggressive, threatening to vandalise the shop.
“As such Vijay and a colleague went outside after them to ensure no damage was done to the shop. Vijay was struck once by one of the teenagers, causing him to fall to the floor.”
The shop owner suffered minor injuries when he was punched by the teenagers who fled towards Mill Hill Broadway station. Passers-by gave Mr Patel first aid before the police and paramedics arrived. He was rushed to hospital but died later.
DI Lott appealed for help to identifying the suspects, described as three black males, and for any phone footage or images of the incident.
He said: “If you know who they are, or where they are, get in touch.”