Police seek public help to find JP shooting suspect

BOSTON -- Police have released surveillance footage from inside a Tedeschi's Food Mart in Jamaica Plain, where a clerk was fatally shot.

Authorities are hoping the video will help the public identify the suspect who killed Surendra Dangol, 39, of Somerville, Mass., the day after Christmas.

“If you know something, if you heard something, call... the Boston police homicide unit and help us identify this dangerous gunman who took this life so innocent and so tragically on that day after Christmas,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel Conley.

The suspect in the video can be seen wearing a wig, according to police. However, authorities have not yet been able to determine the suspect’s gender from the footage.

The suspect allegedly attempted to rob the convenience store on Center Street around 3 p.m. on Saturday. Police say Dangol emptied the cash register and was subsequently shot.

The newly-hired clerk, who was from Nepal and in his 30s, was covering another employee’s shift when the alleged attack occurred.

A Good Samaritan discovered the wounded Dangol and attempted to revive the clerk until emergency crews arrived.

Dangol was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, where he later died.

Meanwhile, the suspect loitered outside Tedeschi's for about 20 minutes and may have even spoken with a man at a nearby bus stop.

Witnesses said the gunman fled the scene in a getaway car driven by a second suspect. Surveillance footage showed the pair in a four-door white sedan heading down Centre Street in the direction of the Jamaicaway.

Conley on Tuesday had strong words for the suspect and any accomplices.

“Nothing is going to deter us from finding you and holding you accountable for the life you took. To those who helped him, whether it was before or after the fact, you can count on prosecution as well,” said Conley.

Neighbors said they are shocked by the crime.

"It's a shame somebody was shot, and it happens in broad daylight, which you wouldn't believe, because there are a lot of police around here. They do their job too, 'cause they're always looking. I don't know how they get away with it," commented one local.

That store remained closed Sunday to allow crews to continue cleaning.

President and CEO Peter Tedeschi in a released statement called the incident a "senseless act of violence” and added that he was "deeply saddened" by the death.

The victim’s family arrived in Boston on Monday from California, grief-stricken by their loss. The family is praying that the suspect will be caught.

“He has a wife, little kids, you know, and tried to help them out you know, send some money, and just help his family,” said a friend of Dangol’s.

Friends from the Greater Boston Nepali Community said Dangol came to the United States from Nepal about five years ago through a federal program. His wife and 9-year old daughter, still residing in Nepal, were planning to move to the United States shortly.

As the police continue their investigation, friends and family are trying to understand why someone would do such a thing.

“He was a gentle man, yeah. We’re very saddened by this news,” said Utsab Gurang, a member of the Greater Boston Nepali Community.

The suspect reportedly did not get away with any money.

(Copyright (c) 2009 Sunbeam Television. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)