International Desk: A Bangladeshi student was shot and killed during a robbery early Tuesday morning and the shooter was at large.
Authorities have yet to identify the victim, a friend of the deceased said the man was a young graduate student from Bangladesh who was working his way through college and sending money home.
The injured was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Benoit Hecquet, who lives near the Chevron gas station, and co-workers described him as a native of Bangladesh who worked the overnight shift to earn money for his family and put himself through graduate school, reports the Los Angeles Times.
The shooting occurred about 3:30 a.m. when a man entered the Chevron station and purchased an item, said LAPD Det. Meghan Aguilar. The man later returned to the counter, produced a handgun and demanded money, she said.
“The clerk was cooperating when the man shot him,” Aguilar said. The gunman then reached over the counter and grabbed the entire cash drawer and ran, Aguilar said.
The suspect fled in a light-colored car. The wounded clerk was able to call 911 and was rushed to the hospital, where he died from his injuries.
On Tuesday, local residents stopped to hug members of the staff, who stood beside a cordon of yellow police tape outside the station.
Co-workers said the victim was an MBA student who worked nights while studying.
“I am sure scenarios like these happen, but I am heartbroken,” said Carlos Francisco. “He was a dreamer. Work by night, study by day to make himself better.”
The victim, who was in his 20s, only recently began working at the gas station, Francisco said.
“He was the only son, and he sent money home to his family,” Francisco added.unb
