Young father shot, killed in San Bernardino armed robbery

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (KABC) -- A manhunt was underway in San Bernardino after two masked gunmen shot and killed a store clerk during an armed robbery Friday night.

The Bossey Drive-In Dairy on North E. Street was boarded up, and a small memorial began to grow as its doors remained closed on Saturday.

The night before, 36-year-old Mitesh Patel, was working when two masked men in dark clothing stormed in and demanded money just before 10 p.m.

Police said one man was armed with a long gun, while the other suspect was armed with a handgun.

Patel handed over the money and then was shot, according to officials. He died at the scene.

His brother, Samir Patel, owned Bossey Drive-In Dairy with him for six years and was walking out of the bathroom when Mitesh Patel was shot.

"He's like slipping down on the ground," Samir Patel recalled.

Mitesh Patel, whose brother said leaves behind a wife and a 3-year-old daughter, was known for giving people credit at the store when they couldn't pay for food.

"He was a great guy, man, he had a heart of gold," Fidel Bryan of San Bernardino said. "It's just sad, you know, he was a really good friend. He was a really good guy. He would help people out."

"They take care of our community, you know what I mean? I don't understand who could come over here and do something like this," Bishop Larry Jones with Crossover Outreach Church said.

Witnesses told investigators that after the shooting, the armed robbers were spotted running down an alley near the store.

Anyone with information on the robbery or suspects is urged to call the San Bernardino Police Department at (909) 384-5615.