Libs of TikTok says DHS confirmed Patel is from India

A 14-year-old Florida boy is dead, and the man police say chased him down and struck him with a car now faces a second-degree murder charge¹. Police said Kavan Vishnubhai Patel intentionally struck Hunter Russey, who was riding an e-bike, on the morning of Oct. 13 along Cocoanut Grove Avenue in West Melbourne². On Oct. 20, the X account Libs of TikTok posted an 'EXCLUSIVE' saying Patel is from India and that DHS confirmed this to the account. The post says Patel is an Indian-born visa holder from Canada who was issued his U.S. visa in December 2024³.

Behind that post is a week of arrests that Brevard County booking records lay out. West Melbourne police said Patel reported a burglary at his business early on Oct. 13⁴. Investigators say Patel told officers he saw Hunter break in the door but did not initially disclose following the teen for about a half-mile before striking him with his car. Police could not say with certainty that Hunter was the person who tried to break into the store. According to an arrest affidavit, Patel admitted following and intentionally hitting the boy, and he said he knew he should have called law enforcement but was angry about the possible burglary⁵.

Officers found Hunter in a ditch about an hour later. He was placed on life support at Orlando Health Children's Arnold Palmer Hospital, and he died after his family took him off life support Saturday evening¹. Police say his family chose to donate his organs².

The first booking, on Oct. 13, charged Patel with aggravated battery and with leaving the scene of a crash involving serious bodily injury, and he was released Oct. 15. He was booked again Oct. 18 on a charge of second-degree murder without premeditation, entered by the Brevard County Sheriff's Office. The county lists him in custody on the murder charge, held without bond⁶.

No business owner's anger licenses running a child down and leaving him in a ditch. The murder case goes before Judge David Koenig on Nov. 17, and Brevard County parents should be watching to see that justice for Hunter is done⁶.

Sources

1. Central Florida store owner charged with murder after hit-and-run kills teen who broke into shop
2. Kavan Vishnubhai Patel rearrested on second-degree murder charge
3. @libsoftiktok on X, 2026-10-20: EXCLUSIVE The man arrested for allegedly intentionally running over and kiIIing a 14-year-old boy is FROM INDIA, DHS confirmed to us. Kavan Vishnubhai Patel was arrested in Florida after allegedly intentionally running over and KILLING Hunter Russey with his, 2026-10-20
4. 14-year-old taken off life support days after West Melbourne hit-and-run, police say
5. Store owner accused of chasing down, running over 14-year-old boy he suspected of burglary
6. Booking Details - Inmate Search