Fort Worth police asked for help Sunday in identifying a masked bandit who killed a store clerk during a robbery, even though the victim was cooperating.
Jimmy Khela, 38, was killed Saturday at about 4:30 p.m. at the Pronto Food Store in the 800 block of East Long Avenue in North Fort Worth. The store has been a fixture on Long Avenue for years.
"I know this store since I was a kid,” said Tino Yanes, who lives across this street. “Yes, it hurts me a lot.”
Khela, of Euless, was married and had two young children. He emigrated from Egypt several years ago and also had a second job at D/FW International Airport, according to co-workers.
Detectives released surveillance pictures of the masked gunman Sunday and asked for the public’s help in identifying him.
Customers stopped the store, which was temporarily closed, to leave flowers.
"My kids would come and he would know them by name,” said Janie Montes. “And when they didn't have enough change, he would say, 'That's OK, next time you come.'"
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"He was so cool,” said Cathie Montoya. “He was so talkative. He would make conversation with everybody."
A sign left on the front door spoke for many: "You will be missed. Much love from nearby customer. We will miss you our dear friend."
Fort Worth has seen a rash of recent convenience store robberies, but police don't believe what happened here is related to those.