Murder probe after fatal attack on shop worker

A MURDER investigation has been launched after a shop worker was fatally attacked in a row over cigarette papers.

Scotland Yard named the victim as Vijay Patel, 49, from Colindale, north London, who was was critically injured with one blow on Saturday.

Three teenage boys are suspected of targeting the father-of-two after he refused to sell them the items at a north London shop because of their age. He succumbed to his injuries in hospital on Monday afternoon.

A 16-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder, while police continue 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.”

The group entered the shop on The Broadway in Mill Hill late on Saturday and attempted to buy several items, including the cigarette papers, which they were denied when they could not provide proof of age.

Mr Patel had been working that night with the owner of the shop.

A police spokesman said: “The three were unhappy about the decision 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’s owner suffered minor injuries when he was punched by the teenagers, who fled in the direction of Mill Hill Broadway station.

Members of the public stepped in to give Mr Patel first aid before the arrival of police and paramedics, who were called at about 11.45pm.