Philadelphia Corner Store Killing: Clerk Shot Dead During Robbery, Police Hunt Armed Suspects Across City

Philadelphia, United States— Philadelphia police taped off a corner store on North Broad Street just before 10 p.m. Wednesday after a masked man walked in, demanded cash, and shot the clerk dead when the register jammed.

The victim was identified Thursday as 42-year-old Amrit Singh, who had worked the overnight shift at Patel's Food Mart for six years. Police said he was alone behind reinforced glass that had been left open for ventilation. Two customers found him on the floor and called 911. Medics pronounced him dead at the scene at 10:07 p.m.

Surveillance video shows the suspect entering wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, dark mask, and gloves. He pointed what appears to be a semi-automatic handgun at Singh, vaulted the counter, and struck the register. When it failed to open, he fired two shots at close range. He then grabbed cigarettes and fled on foot southbound on Broad, according to detectives.

"He complied. He did everything he was supposed to do," said Philadelphia Police Captain John Walker. "The register stuck. For that, a man who was a father, a husband, a worker in this neighborhood, is gone. This was execution over maybe $200."

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported this is the third fatal robbery of a retail worker in the city in the past six weeks. The Philadelphia Police Department's robbery unit says corner store holdups are up 23 percent this quarter compared with last year, with most occurring after 9 p.m. in North and West Philadelphia.

Family members said Singh had been saving to bring his mother from Punjab to Philadelphia. His brother, who owns the store, arrived minutes after the shooting. "He told me last week he was scared of night shift. He asked for a new lock," his brother told reporters outside the store, hands shaking.

Detectives collected two 9mm casings, fingerprints from the counter, and a clear image of the suspect's shoes. The store's security system was outdated and recorded only in 720p, limiting facial detail. Police are asking businesses on the block to hand over higher-resolution footage from exterior cameras.

The area remained closed until 2 a.m. for evidence collection. A small memorial of candles, incense, and a handwritten note reading "Rest Easy Amrit" grew on the sidewalk Thursday morning. Regulars said Singh knew most customers by name.

No arrests have been made. Police plan to release enhanced stills from the video Thursday afternoon and have asked anyone who was on Broad Street between 9:45 and 10:15 p.m. to come forward.