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OCALA, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - The Ocala Police Department has named a person of interest in the murder of a store clerk.
Investigators are seeking information regarding the whereabouts of Keon'dre Duncan, 18. Police describe Duncan as a black man, approximately 6 feet, 1 inch tall and weighing 170 pounds. Officers released a photograph of Duncan on Friday in connection to the murder of Ujjav “Rocky” Patel, 35.
On Thursday, loved ones said their finals goodbyes to Patel at a funeral service. Police said Patel was shot and killed during a robbery on April 22, inside the Jiffy Food convenience store, where he worked.
“Rocky was a legend to me. He was a hero to me. He was that dude that everybody loved,” said Cassandra Snow, one of his friends.
People who knew him said Patel was taking care of his aging parents “He’s a very honest guy. A very hard working guy,” said Mit Mehda, another friend.
Friends like Snow still can’t believe Rocky is gone. “Out of all people, Who Kills Rocky?” Snow asked.
Chilling surveillance video from the store’s security cameras shows the gunman burst through the front door of the store pointing a gun. A second clip of surveillance video shows the gunman climbing on top of, then over the counter, pointing the gun at Patel
In a recording of a 911 call reporting the shooting, a dispatcher is heard asking the caller, “You said there were shots fired in the store?” To which the caller replies “Yes! Yes! Yes! “ The dispatcher asks, “Is he alive?” The caller answers with, “He’s not responding.”
CrimeStoppers has upped the reward to $2,500 for any tips that leads to the arrest of the killer. The Ocala Police Department is also offering up to $3,000 for information leading to the arrest of the person responsible.
If you have any information about this case or the whereabouts of Duncan, call CrimeStoppers at 352-368-STOP (7867 or call Ocala Police at 352.369700. You can also call Detective Jeff Hurst at 352-369-7189.