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Police: Gas Station Attendant Found Shot To Death At Jericho BP Station

JERICHO, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) --  A homicide investigation was underway in Nassau County late Thursday, after police said the body of a gas station attendant was found at a station in Jericho.

AS CBS2's Dave Carlin reported, the body of Hany Awad, 56, was shot and killed while working the night shift at a BP gas station on Jericho Turnpike

Awad's body was found by a customer just after 9 p.m. Wednesday on the floor behind the counter, according to police.

"Someone went to get gas… and there was no attendant. He went to look for the attendant and discovered him behind the counter, deceased on the floor," said Nassau County police Inspector Kenneth Lack.

Investigators said Awad had been shot in the torso. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police: Gas Station Attendant Found Shot To Death At Jericho BP Station

Police told WCBS 880's Sophia Hall they are reviewing surveillance videos at the station.

Will Alaimo, manager of the Edgewood Motel across the street from the station, said the incident scares everyone.

"I told all the maids now when they clean the rooms, keep the doors closed," he told 1010 WINS' Mona Rivera. "I keep the door closed here. People are getting desperate."

Police: Gas Station Attendant Found Shot To Death At Jericho BP Station

BP customer Michael Svinar has owned his welding supply business across the street for 40 years. He said the suburban neighborhood, close to the Long Island Expressway, is usually quiet. The incident has left him on edge.

"I work here late sometimes," he told CBS2's Andrea Grymes. "So (I'm) a little nervous something like that can happen that close to home."

"Just nice people over there," Alaimo added. "It's really horrible."

Police suspect the motive for the gunman, who stood about 5 feet tall, was robbery. Investigators did not release surveillance video, saying the gunman wore a mask that covered his face.

Lack said the shooting is being investigated as a possible robbery. He said police are checking possible links to robberies of two other BP stations in New Hyde Park and Thomaston Monday night.

In the New Hyde Park robbery, police said the suspect fired one round into the counter. In the Thomaston robbery, police said the assailant fired one round into the wall.

Police said the clerks in both incidents turned money over to the suspect after the warning shot.

"I would suggest to gas stations and other commercial style establishments to immediately comply with a suspect who presents a gun for a robbery," Lack said.

Police were checking the ballistics in the three incidents to confirm they were linked.

CBS2 spoke briefly to Awad's family members, as they left a Jericho home to meet with Suffolk County Medical Examiner's office investigators. Before driving off, they thanked members of the tight-knit community for their condolences.

Many in the community were left scared with a killer on the loose -- one whose robbery spree may not be over yet.

Police announced a $25,000 reward for information to help catch the killer.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.

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