A US Navy reservist and liquor store owner Gurpreet Singh was fatally shot during an incident of a suspected robbery at his store in Downey, CA.

Singh, 44, was the apparently the co-owner of ASL Liquor Store and Market in Downey, according to a CBSLA report. A resident of Cerritos, an affluent suburban city in Los Angeles County, Singh was found shot dead at about 10.15 pm on May 8. Singh was reportedly working alone at the time.

According to the news report, authorities May 9 released video and images of a man suspected in the robbery.

Well-wishers left candles in front of the store; regular customers say Singh, the father of two young boys, was at the store every day, according to the report.

Customers said they were heartbroken to learn of his death. Some cried and embraced as they shared memories of Singh.

"He was a sweetheart," said one customer. "He was kind to everybody. This is a shock. Took him from his family. Took him from his community. It's horrible."