COLUMBUS, Ohio -- An East Side convenience-store clerk was fatally shot, and police continued to search for his killer.
NBC 4's Patrick Preston reported with the FAST FACTS.
CPD was investigating the shooting as a robbery-homicide, and the incident happened within 15 seconds of the suspect entering the store.
Daniolo Perez, 48, was working by himself Wednesday morning at the Marathon gas station in the 3800 block of East Livingston Avenue.
A suspect entered the store around 9 a.m., approached Perez, who was behind the counter, and fired one shot, according to CPD.
Perez was transported to Grant Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.
Perez was known as Papeh or Pop to his family and friends who said he worked 12-hour days, seven days a week to send money to his family in Gambia.
Scanner traffic indicated Perez suffered a gunshot wound to the face, but police later said the gunshot wound was in the neck.
"I could have been in there, too. But he just told me to go home. I left. I should have stayed, but he was like, 'Go home. I don't want to get you in trouble,' " co-worker John Gibson said.
The male suspect was about 6 feet tall, weighed between 150 to 160 pounds, had a dark complexion and was dressed in dark clothing, including a black hoodie, according to police.
The suspect's age was not clear.
Detectives continued to interview several witnesses who entered the store before and after the shooting.
"We don't know what kind of conversation -- if there was any with the clerk,” CPD Sgt. Rich Weiner said. “There was one gunshot in the store and that individual fled. Right now, we're looking for help from the public."
One of the convenience store's owners said they expected bulletproof glass to protect them, which was why the store clerks did not carry a gun.
Surveillance video captured the incident, and police plan to release an image of the suspect later Wednesday. The image does not give a great look at the suspect, though, which was why police said they are really hoping for a tip.
The suspect reportedly left the scene in a dark-green vehicle, according to scanner traffic.
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