Teenager arrested on suspicion of murdering shopkeeper who was killed for ‘refusing to sell cigarette papers’

A murder investigation has been launched after a shop worker was killed in a row over cigarette papers.

Scotland Yard named the victim as Vijay Patel, 49, from Colindale, north London, who 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 died from his injuries in hospital on Monday afternoon.

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

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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.

“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 the scene in the direction of Mill Hill Broadway station.

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

Scotland Yard said officers found him lying on the pavement outside the shop and he was rushed to hospital by the London Ambulance Service.

Detectives appealed for help identifying the suspects and for anyone who may have mobile phone footage or images of the incident to contact them.

They have also been conducting door-to-door inquiries and gathering CCTV images from the scene.

The suspects were described as three black males, with one wearing a red sweatshirt, black jeans and white trainers, another wearing a dark grey or black tracksuit and black trainers and the third a dark-coloured hooded sweatshirt and black jeans.

“If you know who they are, or where they are, please get in touch and tell us their names,” Mr Lott said.

“If you saw the three running away from The Broadway and where they went let us know.

“I would like to thank the witnesses who have already come forward and told us what they saw.

“However, I would still urge anyone who is yet to speak with us, or who has captured some of the incident on camera, to come forward to help us.

“If you saw something that may help but haven’t yet spoken to police then please get in contact with us.”

Anyone with any information about the identity of the three suspects or their current whereabouts should contact 020 8358 0200, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.