JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said it believes a vehicle that was carjacked Saturday night at a drive-through restaurant was the same car used in the robbery and killing of a Gate gas station clerk early Sunday morning.
Police said a Northside man was carjacked at gunpoint in the drive-through at Hook Fish and Chicken at 4250 Moncrief Road in Northwest Jacksonville at about 10:50 p.m. Saturday.
At about 5 a.m. Sunday, an armed robbery resulted in the shooting death of 24-year-old Thomas McIntee at the gas station off Interstate 95 and Busch Drive on the Northside.
Investigators are searching for anyone who may have seen the 2002 silver Toyota Avalon being driven 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.
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.
Gate said McIntee began working at the store more than six years ago and was promoted to assistant manager nearly two years ago.
He was a second-generation member of the Gate family, as his mother is a store manager in Gate's southern division.
"Thomas was an important member of the GATE team and was frequently complimented by customers for his sunny disposition and excellent customer service," the company said in a news release.
Gate said its representatives are continuing to work closely with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office to ensure those responsible are located and brought to justice.
Police have not released a description or surveillance images from the store of the shooter.
A woman named Katina said she filled up her gas tank Sunday morning at the station before the killing happened.
"I live right around the corner, and I was on my way to work and it was probably 4:15ish (a.m.), and I stopped to get gas and it was business as normal," Katina said.
About 45 minutes later, investigators said, two armed men robbed the gas station, killing McIntee. Another clerk hit the panic button, then called police.
McIntee later died at a hospital.
"I think it's sad; 24, lose your life that early. ... Just at work," said Marlan Lindsey, who frequents the gas station.
Last year in northeast Florida, there were three commercial robberies and killings in similar instances with surveillance video that produced arrests.
In February, mother of six and cashier Zuheily Rosado was shot in killed at the Mobil Gas Station in Palm Coast in a random act of violence. Seven months later, deputies arrested Joseph Bova II.
In July, investigators captured Herman Pickens the day after they said he shot and killed Robert Sutton at Mojo no. 4 Urban BBQ Whiskey Bar on St. Johns Avenue in Avondale. Police said a few minutes later, Pickens wounded a CVS Pharmacist down the street.
Less than two weeks later, detectives said James Rhodes shot and killed 20-year-old Shelby Farah after she handed over cash to robbers at the MetroPCS on North Main Street.
News4Jax crime and safety analyst Gil Smith has advice for clerks in similar situations and what they should always do.
"You want them out of your store, give them what they want and then they'll leave," Smith said. "It's also good not to stare at them. Don't look at them for a long period of time because they may think you're trying to get identification on them so you can report them to the police. So try not to give them direct eye contact if you are in fear of your life. When they leave, try to get a description as best you can."
Anyone with information on McIntee's killing or the carjacking is asked to call JSO at 904-630-0500 and Crime Stoppers at 866-845-TIPS.