Clerk gunned down leaving AM/PM in Victorville

VICTORVILLE, Calif. (KABC) -- A search is underway in Victorville for the gunman who shot and killed a store clerk as he left work Sunday night.

Authorities say the fatal shooting happened at about 10:40 p.m. outside an AM/PM in the 15700 block of Roy Rogers Drive. The victim, identified as 26-year-old Daniel Raul Olivera of Hesperia, was talking to a security guard after just leaving his shift when he was gunned down. He was declared dead at the scene.

"The circumstances are very strange," said San Bernardino County sheriff's spokeswoman Cindy Bachman. "He's standing out here, he's several feet from the security guard, they're having a conversation, there's no altercation going on, and suddenly he's shot."

According to police, there were people inside and outside the store at the time of the shooting, but no one saw a gunman. Only a couple people heard a pop before Olivera collapsed. They're positive the shooter wasn't on the gas station's property.

"It is certainly a possibility that the shooter was across the street. There's a vacant lot there. It was dark," Bachman said.

Janet Cruz, Olivera's fiancée, came to the crime scene sobbing, pleading for the public's help finding a suspect.

"I was waiting all night with his dinner plate, looking out the window, and he never came home. No phone calls, no nothing," Cruz said through her tears. "Anything will help, any leads... we need everybody's help."

The couple had four young children together. Cruz said Olivera was not involved with gangs.

Homicide detectives spent a large part of the morning scouring an empty lot next to the gas station for evidence. They were also looking at surveillance video taken from the store and businesses in the area.

Anyone with information was urged to call the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department at (909) 387-3589.

A candlelight vigil was held Monday night outside the AM/PM. Cruz urged the gunman to come forward.

"They just took him away from me. I don't know who did it, I just want you to turn yourself in, do the right thing, please, please," said Cruz.

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