UPDATE: Johnson City police have identified the victim of Friday morning’s robbery and homicide as Tava Woodard, 23 of Johnson City.
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JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — The Johnson City Police Department (JCPD) is searching for two suspects who allegedly killed a gas station clerk during a reported robbery on Friday.
According to the JCPD, officers responded to a death investigation at a Roadrunner Market on North Broadway Street at 12:55 a.m.
Upon arrival, officers found the clerk deceased. The death was determined by the JCPD to be a homicide during the commission of a robbery, a press release stated.
Investigators said the clerk complied with the demands of the suspects but was killed during the interaction.
“In my almost 30 years of law enforcement experience, this case is one of the most heartbreaking that I’ve come across,” said Chief of Police Billy Church. “A young person lost their life due to a senseless act of violence.”
GPM Investments, which owns the Roadrunner Market, issued the following statement:
This is a terrible, unnecessary tragedy and our thoughts are with the victim and their family. We are working with law enforcement to support their investigation and hope those responsible are brought to justice soon.
GPM Investments
The JCPD is asking area residents and business owners to review surveillance videos from June 1 and June 2 to see if the suspects appear in any videos.
“Time is of the essence and we need the public’s help in identifying suspects in this case,” Church said.
You can find the surveillance video showing the alleged suspects below:
The investigation remains ongoing, anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact the police department at 423-434-6166, Crime Stoppers at 423-434-6158 to remain anonymous or by texting 423JCPD and the tip to 847411.
Tips can be submitted online here or here.
