Store clerk's killing remains unsolved 1 year later

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – One year after 24-year-old Thomas McIntee was shot and killed during a robbery of the Gate station on Busch Drive, his family and friends gathered to remember him and ask the public to help with any information that could help catch his killer.

According to police, two people took off in a car that was later found in the Paxon area. The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office says they believe these two people were also involved in other armed robberies and an armed carjacking.

The victim's parents said healing from their loss is even more difficult, because they don't know who took their son's life. 

Part of Monday's remembrance was the reading of the victim's own words, a poem by McIntee his mother found after his death:

Just one life; Just one chance

We all have one life to live, one heart to beat, one chance to live our dream, to live like we want to be.
We will make many choices along the way, that's why we have friends that will help us on our way.
Day to day, year to year, there are many hardships along the way. So always carry a smile every which way because with one smile you can brighten someone's day, and make it a cheerful year.
Just one chance to make an impression on someone so be good to all you see for some day they become a boss to you and me.
I do not know what awaits ahead of me and what surprises may come our way, but I am sure I will live a joyful life."

"He's left me little gifts here and there," said Wendy Johnson, McIntee's mother. "First time I heard that, I cried. I cried."

Johnson said McIntee's joy will live on, as $10,000 was donated in his name to Animal Care and Protective Services to help rehabilitate and care for animals in need. She said this was something he was passionate about.

"He was a good person, a loving person," Johnson said. "He had a love for life. He had a love for family. He was no different than anyone else's son, except he was our son."

Which is why being without him is so hard.

"I'm living in a nightmare and I can't wake up from it. I do the best I can do every day, just to make it through each day," she said.

There is a reward of $23,000 for a tip that leads police to an arrest in this case. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 866-845-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous.