Atlanta police have 2 people of interest in convenience store clerk killing
Atlanta police said Friday they have two "persons of interest" in the shooting death of a convenience store clerk.
Jagama Beyene was shot and killed during a robbery at the Citgo Food Mart on Glenwood Avenue early Thursday. Beyene was met by three robbers demanding money as he opened a screen glass window, police said.
"At some point during the robbery attempt, we believe the suspect discharged his weapon at least four or five times, striking the store clerk in the lower abdomen," Atlanta police Maj. Keith Meadows said.
The thieves then dashed from the scene, cash register in hand, investigators said.
The shooting happened around 4:30 a.m. at the in the 2300 block of Glenwood Avenue at Fayetteville Road, according to Meadows.
Meadows said the suspect fired several of the shots inside the store and at least one more from outside the food mart.
"We have not been able to determine why the shooter felt the need to shoot from outside of the establishment once the clerk was shot," he said, adding the suspects possibly fled in a red pickup truck.
Police were interviewing two witnesses early Thursday. Beyene died after being transported to Grady Memorial Hospital, officials said.
Investigators distributed sketches of the two men late Friday afternoon.
Police are asking anyone with information on the incident to call Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS or Investigator S.R. Benton at 404-546-5417.
--Staff photographer John Spink contributed to this article.
-- Staff writer Kristi E. Swartz contributed to this article.
