'This was cold-blooded murder': Police search for Cleveland clerk's killers

CLEVELAND, TX (KTRK) -- A search is underway for three suspects police say were involved in the fatal shooting of a gas station clerk in Cleveland.

Investigators say the clerk was killed during an attempted robbery around 9:25pm at the Cleveland Market at 1030 FM 2025.

Surveillance camera footage shows three light-skinned men entering the business with bandanas covering their faces.

That is when one of the men pointed a pistol at the store clerk, who was standing behind the register. After a verbal exchange, the man opened fire on the store clerk.

The two other men reached across and behind the counter to grab money from the register before all three fled the scene.

Officers were called to the gas station after the clerk called 911 and said he had been shot.

When police arrived, they found the clerk with a gunshot wound to the chest. He was taken by Life Flight but died before they could make it to the hospital.

K9 units and DPS helicopters were called to assist in the search of a wooded area next to the store for the suspects.

"This was cold-blooded murder," says Cleveland Police Cpt. Scott Felts. "The clerk did not attempt to fight or resist the shooter. There was no reason whatsoever to shoot this innocent person."

If you have any information about the suspects, call Cleveland police.