OCALA, Fla. – An Ocala convenience store clerk was shot and killed Friday morning during a robbery, police said.
The fatal shooting happened around 10 a.m. at the Jiffy Food Store in the 2400 block of NW Blitchton Road, or U.S. 27 after a robbery turned into a scuffle.
The clerk was identified by police as 33-year-old Ujjval Patel, who many knew and loved here as "Rocky."
"I saw Rocky fall, I thought he was just frightened and fell to the floor," said coworker Vincent Russell. "But when I kept calling his name and he didn't answer, I knew something was wrong."  ​
Police said they are looking for a black man about 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighing about 170 pounds. He was wearing a red shirt with black sleeves and blue jeans. He had on a skull cap and a mask and was carrying a backpack, police said.
"We are appalled with any type of case like this," said Ocala Major Mike Balken. "A robbery is bad enough the fact that this man was shot and killed and lost his life over potentially was a small amount of money is shocking to say the least."
At least one customer and one other employee were in the store at the time of the shooting, but they were not injured.
Police are looking at surveillance video and searching nearby neighborhoods to try to find the shooter.
"What we are hearing from the local residents is he was very well known he has worked here for many years, he was very well-liked in this community and it sounds like an outstanding citizen and there was no reason for anyone to hurt him in any way," Balken said.Â
No other details have been released.
Contact Ocala police or Crimestoppers if you have any information on the shooting.