Mini-Mart Worker Shot Monday in Critical Condition

Originally posted at 4:12 p.m. March 25, 2014. Edited with new details.

A Long Beach convenience store owner shot in a holdup was hospitalized in critical condition today, while acquaintances hailed him as an active member of the community and friend to his customers.

The shooting occurred Monday night at 7:50 p.m. at a mini-market in the 1100 block of East Seventh Street, according to police.

Homicide police detectives responded to the scene because of the severity of the victim's injuries and worked through the night to collect evidence, review witness statements and look through any video surveillance.

The suspect entered the market, fired a weapon, striking him in the upper body, and then fled with an undetermined amount of cash, police said.

The victim's name was not immediately released.

"He was a wonderful man and did a lot for the community," one man told ABC7, pointing out that he was active in Neighborhood Watch.

Nicole Love, who lives in the area, told the station, "He was a very nice guy, a cool guy. I don't know why it happened to him."

The suspect remained at large. Anyone with information was asked to call detectives Scott Lasch or Donald Goodman at (562) 570-7244.

--City News Service