LEESBURG, Fla.—The store employee who was shot during a robbery in Leesburg Thursday night has died.
Raied Shihadeh, 51, was airlifted to HCA Florida Ocala Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries, Leesburg Police Department Sgt. Shannon Walsh said.
LPD responded to Fast Stop Superette, 3702 Picciola Road, at 9:08 p.m. Thursday on a report of a robbery and shooting and found Shihadeh unconscious. Lake EMS and Leesburg Fire Rescue responded to the scene to treat Shihadeh and he was airlifted due to the seriousness of his injuries, according to Walsh.
“Leesburg officers immediately established a perimeter and requested our K9 unit and LCSO (Lake County Sheriff’s Office) aviation to respond. An extensive search was conducted with the K9 team and aviation; however, they were not successful in locating the suspect,” Walsh said in a press release. Leesburg detectives and CSI also responded.
The suspect is now described as a male, unconfirmed race, with a slim build. When Inside Lake broke the story Thursday, the scene was still very active, and information can change as detectives conduct their investigation and uncover more information.
Police are asking anyone with information or video of the suspect to call them at 352-787-2121.
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