MOUNT DORA, Fla. — Mount Dora police said they are searching for the person who shot and killed one of the owners of a local convenience store and left the other owner critically injured.
Police said they responded to the T&N Market on North Grandview Street around 8:50 p.m. on Monday. When they arrived, they found a man and woman, identified as the owners of the store, inside with gunshot wounds.
Police said the woman, Minh “Tina” Nguyen, 47, was pronounced dead at the scene and the man, Khiem “Ken” Ba Trinh, 56, was airlifted to the hospital where he remains in critical condition.
READ: Daytona Beach police chief calls for community’s help to stop recent spree of shootings
Investigators said the shooting appears to be connected to a random armed robbery.
Officials said they are working to identify the shooter through security camera footage captured on scene. Interim Police Chief Brett Meade said a person wearing all black is seen confronting one of the owners outside the store and then forcing him inside the store at gunpoint.
Police said they are looking for a male suspect, thin build, wearing all black and a black hoodie.
READ: Space junk? Unknown object zooms past Earth
When they arrived, police said they found both owners of the store with several gunshot wounds behind the register.
Officials said the owners of the convenience store have been pillars of the community for decades.
“This strikes at the heart of our community,” Meade said.
READ: ‘Failing to lead’: Ag commissioner calls out DeSantis for failure to act on unpermitted mines
Pastor Bobby Rowe said the couple and their store have been a vital part of their community for years.
“This particular store has been a staple in the northeast community for several years, 30 plus years,” Rowe said. “And for something like this to happen, it affects the whole community.”
Throughout the day on Tuesday a memorial of flowers and balloons has been growing outside the store. Community leaders said a vigil for the couple was planned there at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call Mount Dora police at 352-735-7130 or Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS (8477).
@MountDoraPolice SOT with Interim Police Chief Brett Meade about the homicide investigation on Grandview. pic.twitter.com/UcgoziBYv0
— Mount Dora Police (@MountDoraPolice) December 1, 2020
Watch Eyewitness News for LIVE updates.
Cox Media Group
