JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Homicide detectives and crime scene investigators were still gathering evidence a Westside convenience Wednesday afternoon -- 18 hours after a robbery and shooting that sent three employees to a hospital.
Detectives said the employees were standing outside Safari Discount Beverage Store on 103rd Street about 10 p.m. when three men in ski masks approached them.
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"They ordered them back into the store," Jacksonville Sheriff's Office spokesman Ken Jefferson said. "Once they demanded their wallets, they demanded they open the safe."
Since the employees cooperated with the robbers, police don't know why the victims were shot -- two in the face and one in the leg.
Police identify the victims as Miad Aqahi, 26, in critical condition; Murhas Abduliz, 26, in serious condition; and Afhin Mirzadeh, 35, in fair condition.
The owner told Channel 4's Jennifer Waugh said the three employees had not worked at the store long, and that two of them had recently come to America from Iran -- ironically because the felt they worried about their safety in that country.
"They're pretty cool. They're nice people," former employee T.J. Zafar said Wednesday. "I hate to get anyone get shot."
Police said they have few leads in the case, and ask anyone with information that could help in the investigation to call (866) 845-TIPS (8477).