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Police Hunt For Clues In Deadly Shooting Of Jersey City Shop Owner

JERSEY CITY, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Investigators worked overnight trying to get answers in the fatal shooting of a Jersey City shop owner.

Byungeun Lee, 61, of Palisades Park, was killed during an apparent armed robbery around 4:30 p.m. Saturday at the Top Plus men's clothing store on Bergen Avenue in Journal Square, police said.

Police told CBS2's Ilana Gold the robber shot Lee at least once in the head. When officers arrived, the shop owner was already dead, cops said.

Police aren't releasing whether any customers were in the store when the armed robber opened fire and took off. Cops did say no one else was injured during the crime.

Police are still trying to track down a suspect.

Candles and flowers now sit outside the Bergen Avenue clothing shop where Lee was shot, CBS2's Brian Webb reported. Customers, who called him 'Mr. Kim,' scribbled goodbyes on a poster that reads "rest in peace."

"I pass here everyday, buy you wouldn't think of that, you know, this time of the season," Carmen de Jesus, a resident, said. "It's heartbreaking, you know?"

This is the city's 24th murder of the year surpassing last year's total, Webb reported.

People who live and work along Bergen Avenue said violence is getting worse, and some are concerned for their safety.

"I think it's not safe anymore over here," said Johane Hilmy. "I mean, I live right here, and I never heard about crime and stuff like that. Apparently someone got shot in the head. It could be me or my brother or someone else who got shot. It's scary."

"That's crazy," said neighbor Marlon Ramtahal. "I didn't know something like that happened. I was just walking to the store. ... It's just sad to know these things can happen."

James Lucas, who drives the shuttle for a temp agency, was near the crime scene shortly after the shooting and said streets were blocked off and police were everywhere.

"I'm really surprised. Actually, I'm shocked," he told WCBS 880's Ginny Kosola. "Sometimes it makes you frightened. You've got to be a little careful in the neighborhood.

"It's sad, during holiday," Lucas added. "He's got a family and stuff like that. It's sad."

Police are asking anyone with information about the shooting to come forward.

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