Funeral Saturday for slain Gate clerk

Police trying to identify robbers in shooting death of 24-year-old

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 24-year-old Gate gas station clerk who was shot and killed in a robbery last Sunday morning will be laid to rest Saturday.

The funeral for Thomas McIntee will be held at 5:30 p.m. at Eternity Funeral Home at 4856 Oakdale Ave. on the Southside.

Meanwhile, the Justice Coalition spoke on behalf of McIntee's family Friday, saying they were too grieved to speak.

"No words can express the loss we have experienced," Ann Dugger, of the Justice Coalition, said on behalf of McIntee's parents. "No statement can provide any justification for this senseless taking of this life."

"They're afraid that this killer is still out there. Who's he going to get next?" Dugger added. "And we're looking for answers today. We've been hoping and praying it wouldn't take money to bring someone forward. But today, $20,000 has been offered and posted by Gate Petroleum. We've got $3,000 offered by Crime Stoppers. That's $23,000 for somebody to come forward and just give us the information for an arrest."

At least one of the men pulled a gun and a 24-year-old clerk was shot and killed during a robbery attempt.

Dugger said McIntee's family has confidence his killer will be caught if the right person contacts police or Crime Stoppers.

"If you saw or heard anything or know the ones responsible personally, please ...," Dugger said. "She says, 'I'm begging. The family is begging. Please contact the necessary people and let them know.'"

Dugger said the family doesn't plan to open up about their lives, but instead just wants the public's help in solving the crime.

"Information about us, as to who we are or what we are like as a family, will not help find the ones who took Thomas' life," Dugger said on behalf of the parents. "That's why we chose not to be in the media today. Let's stay on track and find the people who chose this path of life, and prevent another family from the heartache we now feel. This unexplained pain will be carried by us from now on for the rest of our lives.

"This was an unnecessary murder. Those who knew Thomas, knew nothing but love for him. If you, the people who did this, had ever met him, you would feel the same."

Dugger said as the family prepares for Saturday's funeral, they're shaken that McIntee's killer is still out there.

"I mean, they're afraid," Dugger said. "They don't know who did this. … Tomorrow is the memorial, and they feel unsafe. They need to have the peace that they know this person or these people are behind bars that made the choice to take their son's life last Sunday."

IMAGES: Surveillance photos from Gate, sketch of suspect

On Thursday, Jacksonville police released surveillance photos of two masked men sought in the robbery and killing, along with a composite sketch of a man who carjacked a vehicle police believe was used in the killing.

McIntee was killed about 5 a.m. Sunday while working at the Gate on Busch Drive on the Northside.

Police believe a vehicle that was carjacked about 10:50 p.m. Saturday at a drive-thru restaurant at 4250 Moncrief Road in Northwest Jacksonville was the same car used in the robbery and killing of McIntee.

Investigators are searching for anyone who may have seen the carjacked 2002 Toyota Avalon between 10:50 p.m. Saturday and 8:15 a.m. Sunday. The car is silver with damage to the driver's side door and front driver's side quarter panel. The car has since been recovered.

Police said the surveillance images how several distinctive things worn by the culprits.

Police said two other robberies early Sunday morning are linked to the killing.

About six hour later two people wearing masks enter the Gate convenience store on Busch Drive.

At 3:36 a.m., two people robbed three employees of a Kangaroo store at 1003 Edgewood Ave. N. in Northwest Jacksonville, police said. One robber showed a black and silver handgun, according to police.

At 5:18 a.m., robbers hit a Kangaroo store at 12450 N. Main St. on the Northside, where they robbed two of the three employees there of credit and debit cards, Social Security cards, IDs, purses, cigars and cigarettes. A silver Toyota sedan was seen driving off. None of the employees was injured.

Gate Petroleum Company is offering a $20,000 reward through Crime Stoppers, adding to the $3,000 reward already being offered for information leading to an arrest in McIntee's killing, making the total reward $23,000.

Anyone with information on McIntee's killing, the carjacking or two other robberies is asked to call the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office at 904-630-0500 and Crime Stoppers at 866-845-TIPS.


About the Authors:

Kent Justice co-anchors News4Jax's 5 p.m., 10 and 11 p.m. newscasts weeknights and reports on government and politics. He also hosts "This Week in Jacksonville," Channel 4's hot topics and politics public affairs show each Sunday morning at 9 a.m.