STOCKTON, Calif. — Police are still searching for at least two people they suspect of robbing a Stockton gas station and killing a beloved employee Thursday.
"It's very tragic, it's just sad," said frequent customer Rob Clark.
Sorrow and fear ruled the day at the 'ampm' gas station on Frontage Road in Stockton. The gas station closed for nearly 35 hours after a shooting during a robbery left an employee dead.
“Multiple suspects entered that business armed and a robbery ensued. At some point during that robbery, an altercation ensued and at that point one of the suspects shot the victim in the torso area,” said David Scott, Stockton Police Department spokesperson.
The victim was identified as 50-year-old Mohammed Shahzad. Police say the suspects drove off in a car and haven’t been found yet.
"They're a danger to other people now. If they had the audacity to do something like this, that means that they have no remorse or they have no heart and they could do this again to someone else — another innocent victim,” said Clark.
He’s been going to the gas station for about a year and was forced to turn around Friday morning as the business was surrounded by caution tape and a memorial near the front doors reminded customers of what happened earlier.
“It's just tragic, tragic news to hear something like this and my heart… my heart and prayers go out to family and as well as the coworkers at the establishment here,” said Clark.
Other customers are still in shock about what happened at their usual gas station.
“It's just crazy man that somebody would do something like that for maybe just a couple of bucks,” said frequent customer Belmer Fuentes.
Though the business has reopened to customers, many tell ABC10 it’s not the same without their favorite cashier.
“The cashiers are wonderful here. I mean, they're very helpful, very courteous. I've never had a hard time, never had an issue with any of them,” said Clark.
For Neil Dekker, dealing with homelessness is difficult but Mohammed was someone who always made things easier.
“Mohammed... he would help out anybody. He was a good guy, man,” said Dekker, a friend of the victim. “If I needed something to drink or something to eat, he would help you out if you didn't have money, you know, or if you were short, he would say, 'don't worry about it.'"
Many customers worry for Mohammed’s family and hope the suspects are caught soon.
"I just wish that whoever did this, you'll turn yourself in and let justice do its due course," said Clark.
