Beaumont Police are looking for three suspects in connection with an aggravated robbery of a convenience story on Saturday.
The robbery and shooting took place at the MLK Fuel at the corner of MLK and I-10.
Police told 12News when officers arrived around 10:45 Saturday night, August 25, they found the store owner had been shot.
Beaumont police said three suspects cornered one of his employees who was leaving the store.
The suspects held the employee at gunpoint and forced him back inside where the owner was working at the front counter.
One suspect jumped over the counter and demanded money.
“We just urge people if they are ever in a situation where there are armed people demanding money like a purse, wallet or a cellphone to always comply," said Beaumont Police spokesperson Haley Morrow.
“We feel that no money or property is worth someone losing their life.”
Paramedics rushed him to the hospital with critical injuries. Police said three robbery suspects ran from the scene.
On Monday, the usual crowd stopped by MLK fuel but several customers asked about how the owner was doing.
"He was very dedicated man to his job he always helped someone here," said Customer JR Clawson.
The recent violence is scary for store owners like Waseem Akster who manages Ace Super store of College Street.
"Right now I don’t know why it’s so bad this year, there is a lot of robberies going on," said Akster.
Another robbery happened last Thursday at the Express Mart off Dowlen road.
Beaumont police said the suspects zip tied the clerk then robbed the store and ATM.
Akster said he has a gun with him at work to protect himself just in case.
"You never know when they come in, you never know," said Akster.
Beaumont police believe there were at least 10 witnesses at Saturday night’s robbery and wants them to come forward.
Police said there was a Ford F-150 in front of the store when the incident took place.
If you have information about this crime you could earn a cash reward of up to $1000 by providing an ANONYMOUS tip to Crime Stoppers of Southeast Texas.
Call 833-TIPS (8477) or text "BMT" followed by your tip information to CRIMES (274637) from your mobile phone.
This is a developing story. We will update with more as soon as we receive confirmed information.
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