Teen dies after being hit by West Melbourne shop owner in suspected burglary case

A 14-year-old boy in West Melbourne died after being intentionally hit by a store owner's vehicle, according to FOX 35 Orlando and Fox13News.com. The boy, identified as Hunter Russey, was riding an electric bicycle when the incident occurred following a suspected break-in at the store.

Authorities said the store owner, 32-year-old Kavan Vishnubhai Patel, chased down Russey and struck him with his vehicle, then left the scene without notifying police. Russey was found unresponsive along Cocoanut Grove Avenue and taken to Holmes Regional Medical Center before being transferred to Orlando Health Children’s Arnold Palmer Hospital.

Despite medical efforts, Russey was taken off life support on October 17 and died from his injuries. His family consented to organ donation. Patel was initially arrested on charges including aggravated battery and leaving the scene but was rearrested on a second-degree murder charge after Russey’s death.

Patel, who owns the Corner Store on Wickham Road, reportedly withheld his involvement until confronted by detectives. He is currently held without bond at the Brevard County Jail. The investigation into the case is ongoing, with no further details released at this time.