Antioch police search for gas station murder suspect

ANTIOCH, Calif. (KGO) -- A Valero gas station on Hillcrest Avenue in Anticoh is back open after one of their cashiers was shot and killed by a robber. Antioch police are still searching for the gunman.

The family identified the victim as 57-year-old Jawad Ataie. They say he was a father of three and had been married to his wife for 25 years.

The store manager says around 8:30 p.m. a man walked in, robbed the store and then shot and killed Ataie.

The family says Ataie was pistol whipped and shot twice in the back by the gunman. The family says Ataie worked there seven days a week to provide for his family.

"This very, very, very sad news," expressed Agit Singh Sooch, who has owned the liquor store across the street for 20 years. He says he feels for his neighbor.

"The business owner, whose works hard day and night, people came here to (rob), a couple of dollars... and people die," he said.

An Antioch police officer who just happened to be at a nearby 7-11 heard the shooting ran over to investigate and shot the suspect.

The Valero store manager says the suspect was wounded, and left a trail of blood down 18th Avenue.

Monday night investigators searched for the suspect so far he has not been found, although he did leave a trail of blood as he escaped after being shot by cops.

The store manager of Valero says the victim worked there for five years.

There is no suspect description.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925)778-2441. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

A GoFundMe account has been set up to help the family with funeral expenses. Click here if you'd like to help.