BELLAIRE, Texas – A memorial of flowers and candles continues to grow just outside this pizza place where 19-year-old Peter Meilke was gunned down while working.
One of Meilke's friends said, "He will always be remembered and I hope people will still come with the family and support."
The friend is a regular at Reginellis and was often waited on by Mielke.
Today though, she brought flowers in his memory, still struggling with the fact he's gone after what authorities believe was a robbery gone wrong.
Darryl Reginelli, the restaurant's owner explained, "Every time I'd walk in the door he was smiling and happy. He was a really great young guy."
Bellaire Police Chief - "He's a coward & when we catch him he'll face a capital murder charge"-19yrold killed during pizzeria robbery @KPRC2
— Courtney Gilmore (@CourtneyNBC5) February 22, 2016
Investigators say an armed suspect came into the restaurant around 9:30 Sunday night to rob the place.
They say Meilke appeared to be complying after the suspect demanded money, but was then shot multiple times and died.
"Deeply, deeply sorry for the family and friends. It was a big loss," the friend said. "The guy or coward, he will pay somehow. Sooner or later, he will pay it."
Meilke was a recent graduate from Bellaire High School and played varsity football.
Now, friends are coming together to show support for his family and to remember a life senselessly cut short as police look for the person who killed him.
"He was on the Bellaire Varsity Football team. He was a hard worker" Friends grieve 19yrold's death after attempted pizzeria robbery @KPRC2
— Courtney Gilmore (@CourtneyNBC5) February 22, 2016