Two store clerks are dead and the search continues for a killer after an armed robbery and shooting Wednesday night in Spartanburg.
The Spartanburg County Coroner's Office says Gumaro Gonzalez Bravo, 32, of Spartanburg, and 40-year old Rebinda Sharma, of Spartanburg, died in the shooting at the Citgo at 1001 North Church Street around 10:30pm.
Investigators got the call to an armed robbery in progress at 10:38 pm and found both men had been shot. Bravo, a stock clerk, was dead at the scene and Sharma, a co-owner and clerk at the store, was transported to Spartanburg Regional Hospital where he later died.
On Thursday, a friend of Bravo told News Channel 7's Elizabeth Owens that he had arrived in the United States was just trying to earn money for his family back in Mexico.
"He had his daughter's sweet 15 coming up," said Lino Rosales. "So he was trying to get a little money together for that,"
Bravo never had the chance to send the money home. He was discovered in a back room after he was apparently washing floors and cleaning something. It was his "dream job" and only paid him five dollars. In the end he ended up paying with his life.
"I just can't believe he's gone," Rosales said. "Just not this way. He had big dreams. Unfortunately they were cut short."
Sheriff Chuck Wright called the situation a "senseless crime" that was likely a robbery.
The co-owner of the Citgo said he did not witness the crime, but he rushed to the scene to hear the tragic news that two of his employees were dead. News Channel 7 reporter Jonathan Carlson asked what was going through his mind.
"I am shocked," he said. "This is all pretty shocking. Yea."
Deputies and a K-9 Unit searched the area, which is just outside the Spartanburg city limits, but were not able to locate a suspect.
Forensic investigators have been at the scene collecting evidence.
A description of a suspect is not being released at this time.
If you have any information that can help in the investigation, call Crime Stoppers at 58-CRIME.
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