Owner shot and killed at Meriden EZ Mart

MERIDEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- The owner of a Meriden gas station/convenience store on East Main Street was shot and killed during a robbery Wednesday morning.

It happened around 1:30 a.m. at the EZ Mart Citgo station on East Main near Broad Street. The suspect was caught on surveillance cameras and police say a witness saw the whole thing.
 
"According to the witness, the suspect came in, brandished a handgun, demanded some money and after he was given the money is when he shot the victim," said Lt. Det. Mark Walerysiak.

He was shot in the chest and pronounced dead at the hospital.

"Give him the money and get out. No, don't kill him. He was a hell of a nice man, he never bothered anybody," said John Dudzik.

"He was a great guy," said Mike Cannata. "I used to go in and buy my lottery tickets from him all the time. He'd always give me a smile, 'Hey, good luck, I hope you win.'"

"He'd been working there for a while and just bought it and he was bringing his children in from Jordan to run it, so he had great plans for the future here," said Meriden Mayor Michael Rhode.

The suspect is described as a white male, 5’9”-5’10”, with a husky build, police said. He is 28-30 years old, with clean cut, dark hair. He was wearing a gray T-shirt with lettering on it, black shorts, and sneakers.

He is also described to have “bulging eyes,” police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Meriden detectives at at 203-630-6297.