LAKE CITY, Fla. – A 59-year-old store clerk was shot and killed Tuesday night during a robbery of a convenience store just of Interstate 10.
Linda Raulerson was shot about 9 p.m. as she was closing the Joy America grocery store at the U.S. Highway 441 exit of I-10, according to the Columbia County Sheriff's Office.
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Sheriff Bill Gootee said surveillance video showed that the robber shot Raulerson after she emptied the cash drawer, handed over the money and stepped out of the way.
She died at the scene.
"She loved the job, the people," said Raulerson's husband of 38 years, John. "Everyone who came in the store was like her family."
Her family spoke out Wednesday despite their grief because they want people to know what a good life was taken in a senseless crime.
"At this time, we are treating this as a robbery/homicide," Gootee said. "This murder is especially heinous as Mrs. Raulerson did nothing but comply with the suspect and she was shot in a cold-blooded manner."
Gootee said the robber was a black man between 5 feet 10 inches and 6 feet 2 inches wearing a dark, hooded sweatshirt, long jean shorts and white sneakers.
He may have left the store in a white, four-door 1993-1995 Buick Regal.
Law enforcement officials asked the public for help finding the gunman, but warned that he should be considered armed and dangerous.
Investigators are asking anyone with information about the robbery to call Crimestoppers at 386-754-7099. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.
"We want him off the street. We don't want this person to hurt another family the like he's hurt us," Raulerson's adult son, Rusty, told Channel 4's Laura Mazzeo.
Officials said it has been about 20 years since someone was killed during a robbery in Lake City.
