HUMBLE, Texas – A Humble convenience store clerk was shot and killed after police said he went after suspected shoplifters who stole a bag of chips on Friday.
“No one ever anticipates just going to work that day and not coming home,” Humble Assistant Police Chief Dan Zientek said at the scene, near the turnaround lanes in the 7400 block of Will Clayton Parkway.
The shooting happened around 11:30 a.m. Investigators remained on the scene until around 6 p.m.
The suspects, described as thin young men, remain on the run and are wanted for capital murder. Police said one was wearing a dark hoodie with the letter “B” on the chest and blue jean pants. The second man was wearing a lighter color parka-type jacket, possibly blue with a logo on the right upper back, and dark pants.
WANTED FOR CAPITAL MURDER: @HumblePoliceDep says these are the two men who stole a bag of chips before shooting and killing a convenience store clerk earlier today. If you recognize them, call Humble PD or @HCSOTexas. pic.twitter.com/ExmPUM0YIb
— Bryce Newberry (@KPRC2Bryce) January 20, 2024
Surveillance cameras capture theft
Surveillance videos from the Sunoco at 18228 Highway 59 southbound service road released by Humble Police show the men entering the store as the 42-year-old employee followed behind them. Inside the store, the men paced around and focused on the chip aisle.
The video then appears to show one of the men put a bag of chips in his pants before the suspects spend a bit more time in the store and leave after two minutes of being inside.
The worker, who has not been identified, is then seen on video following them out of the store before engaging in some sort of conversation. As the suspects walked away, police said the employee got in his car and followed them.
“They started shooting at him, in which he tried to reverse his car and ended up on the median over there,” Zientek said.
Detectives were seen focusing on the victim’s car, which KPRC 2 cameras captured with bullet holes in the windshield and back passenger window.
Police said he was hit by one of the bullets and died while still seated in the driver’s seat of his car.
Police described it as “tragic” for many reasons.
“You’ve lost a great citizen who’s just trying to work and do their job, and instead we have two people that also have ruined their lives because they will be going to jail,” Zientek said.
The suspects fled the scene on foot. A Houston Police helicopter, K-9 teams from Harris County Pct. 4, and patrol officers searched the area for the suspects, however, they were unable to find them.
Anyone with any information is urged to call the Humble Police Department at 281-446-7127.