Mill Hill murder probe: Two teenagers arrested after shopkeeper attacked 'for refusing to sell Rizlas'

“Lovely man”: Vijay Patel with his wife Vibha
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Two teenagers have been arrested after a shopkeeper was allegedly killed by a single punch when he refused to sell Rizlas to underage customers in north London.

Vijay Patel, 49, was knocked to the ground and suffered a fatal head wound in the late-night attack outside Rota Express in Mill Hill Broadway on Saturday, police said.

The father-of-two spent nearly two days on a life support machine before he was pronounced dead on Monday evening.

After launching a manhunt and releasing CCTV stills of suspects, police, on Wednesday evening, arrested two teenage boys, aged 15 and 16, on suspicion of violent disorder. They remain in custody.

Police at the scene in Mill Hill after the attack
Nigel Howard

Another teenage boy, 16, who was charged with murder in connection with the attack, appeared at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on the same day. He was remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on January 12.

Scotland Yard said Mr Patel was with a colleague in the shop when three teenage boys attempted to buy items including cigarette papers but were refused.

They allegedly became aggressive and threatened to vandalise the shop. Mr Patel and the colleague went outside and then he was allegedly hit and fell to the floor.

Mr Patel in hospital before his life support was switched off

The colleague suffered minor injuries when he was also struck by the teenagers, who then fled the scene in the direction of Mill Hill Broadway Station.

Mr Patel, who lived in Kingsbury, had moved to London from India in 2006 to provide a better life for his wife Vibha and their two sons Neel and Dhruv, his family said on Tuesday.

His brother Prakash, 47, told the Daily Mail: “He was the greatest man in the world. He always wanted to help and do the right thing.”

A 16-year-old boy appeared at Willesden youth court today charged with murder. He was remanded in custody until January 24.

Anyone with any information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact the Incident Room on 020 8358 0200 - you can tweet information to @MetCC. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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