'He was family to us:' Lynnwood community mourns death of longtime employee killed in shooting

Community mourns long-time gas station employee killed in shooting

The man left behind a wife and three children

LYNNWOOD, Wash. - Snohomish County detectives are investigating a homicide at a Lynnwood gas station early Sunday morning.

Authorities say a person entered the Chevron at 148th Street and Highway 99 and shot and killed an employee who was working in the store. Detectives believe the suspect was trying to rob the store, then left the gas station.

No suspect has been taken into custody yet.

The victim's name is TejPal Singh and he was a long-time employee of the Chevron, according to the owners, and he never missed a single day of work in over two decades.

A growing memorial of flowers, cards and balloons could be seen at the gas station on Monday.

"He was family to us. He’s been with us for 33 years since I was one. Worked with my father within all those 33 years," said owner Rabi Johal. "We built the site back in 1999 and he worked here for 21 years. He was a staple in this community. A lot of people loved him."

"I spent a lot of time with Paul every day here at the store," said owner Randy Johal. "I come back in here and it doesn’t feel the same and it’s just very hard. It’s like losing a father. I always used to ask him for advice and everything. How to run the store. He was always guiding me, you know, always caring for me, loving me, never said no to anything. Had the biggest heart."

A vigil ceremony is planned for Singh at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the gas station.

If you have any information to help detectives identify a suspect, please submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound by texting it through the P3 Tips App or go to www.P3Tips.com. It's anonymous and there is a $1,000 cash reward for information that leads to an arrest in the case.

The sheriff’s office says this is an ongoing investigation and more information will be provided as it becomes available.

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