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Phoenix PD: Clerk killed during early morning robbery of 7-Eleven store

Posted at 3:10 AM, Aug 08, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-08 21:53:08-04

Phoenix police have released surveillance photos of a suspect after a 7-Eleven clerk was shot and killed overnight.

It happened at the 7-Eleven at 16th Street and Southern Avenue. 

The victim, a man in his 30s, has not yet been identified.

Police say an armed man went in around 12:30 a.m. Monday and demanded money from two clerks.

“And then moved two clerks, two victims, to the back of the store and made them lay down," said Sgt. Vince Lewis with the Phoenix Police Department.

One of the clerks got away unhurt, but another was shot and killed.

“If it was the guy who I know, he was a very nice guy--really quiet. I’d go to work in the morning, [and] he’d be out here cleaning up or something," said Vincent Vasquez, a frequent customer. 

Around noon, the store reopened for business as usual--it was anything but. Customers said it was eerily quiet inside.

“It’s real quiet. The owner pulled me to the side and told me what happened," Vasquez said. “I feel bad about it. I went up to get my drink, and I forgot to pour my drink because I was so upset.”

It’s unclear how many people were inside the store at the time. 

One customer said the store should do more to protect their employees.

“They should employ a security guard or a police officer as a deterrent at late night," said Clara Nava, a customer. 

The suspect ran off after the shooting. He’s described as wearing a bandana over his face, a blue sweatshirt, and red gloves. 

ABC15 crews went into the store to ask questions and were asked to leave. ABC15 contacted 7-Eleven corporate offices to ask what the company does to keep their employees safe, and ABC15 has not heard back yet.