WPTV

Customer Finds Liquor Store Clerk Shot Dead in Boynton Beach

A liquor store owner just hours away from retirement was found shot to death Sunday night in Boynton Beach, according to police.

At 8:10 p.m., police say a customer walked into the Liquor Market at 1660 S. Congress Ave. and discovered the man on the floor, NBC affiliate WPTV reports.

The cash register was open and empty.

Police say they later learned the victim was 79-year-old Ali Arezoumandifar of Jupiter. They say he was pitching in to help the new owner learn the business and had planned to officially retire after last night’s shift.

Arezoumandifar was pronounced dead on scene. He left behind a wife, two children and several grandchildren.

"He did not deserve it, he did not deserve the way he died. And we miss him,” said his daughter, Sohelia.

Sohelia and her brother, Alex, said they're devastated by the killing.

“He was a hardworking man, he cared about the family all the time, he was a good decent man,” Alex said.

Police say the store did not have surveillance video so they are checking to see if any nearby businesses have surveillance systems.

"He was a father, grandfather, and extremely well liked local businessman. Last night, he was shot to death by a coward who robbed the liquor store where he was working his last shift before retirement," police said in a statement. "We have committed all of our resources to finding the person or persons responsible for this horrific crime."

Alex and Sohelia and the family were at home ready to celebrate a career well done. But their dad never came home.

“These people, we don’t know who they are. They came and just murdered him last night. I'm begging anyone who knows anything to come forward,” Sohelia said. “For this to happen the last night of his work, I can’t."

Anyone with information is urged to call Boynton Beach Police at 561-732-8116 or Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County at (800) 458-TIPS

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