ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. — Editor's note: WCNC Charlotte has chosen to use this mugshot because of the nature of the crime and because the suspect is being tried as an adult. Juvenile suspects are not typically publicly named unless they are tried as adults.
Roughly two weeks after a beloved store owner was shot and killed in Salisbury, deputies say the teen suspect accused of killing him has been indicted and will be tried as an adult.
Jhack Aaron Pless, a 16-year-old, was named as the suspect by the Rowan County Sheriff's Office on Friday. He appeared in court on Sept. 3 where the presiding judge transferred his case to the superior court. Pless is charged with 1st-degree murder and robbery with a dangerous weapon.
Pless was granted an $850,000 bond. If he posts bail, he will have to be monitored by GPS. As of publication, Pless remains in custody at a North Carolina Department of Public Safety facility in Concord.
Pless is accused of killing 36-year-old Mainank Patel during a robbery at the Tobacco House Store along Airport Road in mid-August. Deputies said Patel had been shot several times and was taken to two hospitals for treatment. Patel, however, died of his injuries. Pless was eventually arrested. At the time, his identity wasn't released because of his age and because his case had yet to be transferred to adult court.
Patel was remembered as a kind person by customers who frequented his shop. Keisha Lambert noted he and his wife were partners in running the Tobacco House.
"It doesn't seem real," she told WCNC Charlotte. "Anytime you come to those doors, you get both of them -- they really are the definition of kindness."
"If people didn’t have the ability to cover what they needed at the moment he would take care of it and would tell them to take care of it when you can," Tim Roche said. "He was always friendly, and a good guy. He seemed like he would do anything for anybody."
Patel left behind his pregnant wife and their 5-year-old daughter. A GoFundMe launched for the family has so far raised more than $100,000 with a goal of reaching $500,000.
Note: WCNC instituted a policy in March 2021 regarding the broadcast or posting of mugshots.
WCNC will only air or post a mugshot if the person has been formally charged with a crime and in a few other cases. The exceptions include: If it appears the person could be a danger to themselves or others or if they are wanted by authorities; to differentiate between people with a common name; if the photos could encourage more victims to come forward. The news-editorial leadership may also decide to use a mugshot based on the severity of the crime(s) committed and/or the level of public interest in the crime and ensuing criminal proceedings.
If your loved one was impacted by this incident, WCNC Charlotte hopes to make this process less painful with our More Than A Number initiative. With your help, we want to share who your loved one was with our viewers in North Carolina and South Carolina. When you're ready, fill out the form below or send us photos, memories and other details about them to desk@wcnc.com.