No arrests after customers find gas station worker shot to death

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte-Mecklenburg police are investigating after a gas station worker was shot and killed Saturday morning in southwest Charlotte.

Officers were called around 3:30 a.m. to a 7-Eleven on Westinghouse Boulevard where they found 55-year-old Khaled Mohamad Elmerkabaoui lying inside the business with gunshot wounds.

Officers said Elmerkabaoui was found by witnesses who came into the 7-Eleven and then immediately called 911.

Officers said Elmerkabaou was completely cooperative and offered no resistance but that didn't stop the robber from shooting and killing him.

"There's no reason to have killed the poor clerk. It's just awful,” said Mark Engle, who owns a nearby business.

Police are investigating a motive in the shooting but no arrests have been made.

"We're anxious to find out who it was, because like I said, we know them all,” Engle said.

Engle said he buys gas at the 7-Eleven and has met the clerks. He said police called him at 5 a.m.

"The whole street was shut off,” Engle said. “There were probably 15 cops here when I got here at 5:30."

Police asked Engle to review his store's surveillance tapes in hopes that he might be able to help them with the city's 82nd homicide investigation.

"It looked like the suspect was on our tapes as well, so we made copies for (police) so they can take back and analyze it. Our hope is that we are able to help apprehend this person."

The 911 call was later released.

“Do you need police, fire or MEDIC?” the dispatcher said.

“Hey, hey, I need a police officer, ambulance,” the caller said. “I'm at the 7-Eleven, I-77 east near 48. I-77 south off of Westinghouse. The guy, the guy, the clerk, he's been shot.”

“Alright, stay on the line,” the dispatcher said. “I'm going to transfer you to MEDIC and get you an ambulance. Hang on.”

Officials at 7-Eleven sent this statement to Channel 9: "This is a horrible situation and our hearts are with the family at this difficult time. We are gathering information and working with local law enforcement."

"He will be missed,” Elmerkabaou’s friend, John Ormsby, said. “We're not going to see his smiling face in the morning and seeing him do the things he does."

Ormsby works at the motorcycle shop next door and would see Elmerkabaou every morning.

"He was a great guy,” Ormsby said. “He always gives great customer service. He's always saying “hi” to everyone when we come in."

Elmerkabaou studied at UNC-Charlotte and he worked several jobs in the convenience store industry.

He was also married to his wife for 22 years.

Cox Media Group