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An investigation is underway after a father of four was shot and killed while working inside a store in Philadelphia’s Brewerytown neighborhood, police said.
The 37-year-old employee, identified by family members as Jose Alberto Almonte, was organizing the shelves inside the Jefferson Food Market along the 1500 block of North 29th Street at 6:42 p.m. Thursday when an unidentified man entered the store. The man then pulled out a gun and fired five shots, shooting Almonte at least once in the neck, police said.
Almonte was pronounced dead at the scene by responding medics at 6:47 p.m.
Investigators said the incident did not appear to be a robbery attempt and Almonte was likely targeted.
No arrests have been made and no weapons have been recovered. Police have not released a description of any suspects. They are currently interviewing another employee as well as the owner who were both inside the store at the time of the shooting. They are also looking at any possible surveillance footage from inside and outside of the store.
Family members told Telemundo 62 that Almonte was a great friend and loving father of four children.
“It just can happen in a matter of a second, you know? Your loved ones, your closest ones to you, you never know when they can go away,” Almonte’s stepson, Derick Santana, said. “It just happens in an instance so just keep your family close. Just try and make peace with everybody you know because they can be taken from you.”
Entering Thursday, there were at least 227 homicides reported so far this year in Philadelphia, according to data released by Philadelphia police. That’s down 21% from the same time last year, but still on pace to be one of the deadliest years since data began being tabulated in 2007.
This story is developing. Check back for updates.
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