Lewisville liquor store owner shot and killed

LEWISVILLE, Texas - Police are looking for the person who killed an immigrant from India who worked hard to become a store owner in Lewisville.

Suresh “Sam” Shah, 46, was shot and killed Monday night by a robber as he was closing his liquor store for the night. He was a husband and father of two girls. His widow hopes police can find his killer.

Lewisville police said it happened at Liquor City on Corporate Drive. Surveillance video shows the store’s owner locking up, preparing to leave and then being attacked by his vehicle.

The video also shows Suresh complying with the robber’s demands. But he was still shot in the chest and later died at the hospital.

"It looks as if he was doing as he was told,” said Lewisville Police Spokesperson Jesse Hunter. “When the suspect approached him, it looked like he wasn't putting up any kind of a fight. There was no kind of struggle. No fight. It would appear to be a robbery. The suspect felt he had to shoot Mr. Shah."

Police believe Suresh was targeted for the robbery. But they wouldn’t talk about what was stolen or release a description of the suspect because they don’t want to jeopardize the case.

Suresh Shah and Bina Shah were sweethearts since high school and came to the U.S. in the early 90s. Their journey from India was the first step toward his dream of entrepreneurship and hers as a medical professional. She is a psychologist. That dream, as they knew it, was shattered Monday night.

Bina was running the store on Wednesday just two days after her husband was murdered there. She says as a small business owner, she and her family cannot afford to stay closed.

“My kids are scared right now,” she said. “They don't want me to be here at 9 p.m. They are so afraid. They don't want to lose me.”

But there are bills and college tuition to pay and Bina’s duties as a mother of two keep her pressing forward.

Loyal customers say they often went out of their way to see Suresh at the store.

“He was a good person,” said customer Rodney Davis. “He knew personal things about me. He had personal relationships with most of his customers.”

Even without Suresh behind the counter, Bina hopes people will continue to support the store so she can keep their family going.

"I'm just hoping for justice. I'm praying for justice,” she said. “This was no way to die. It was very tragic. We never imagined anything like this could happen."

Detectives are following up on leads and looking for the suspect, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Lewisville Police Department at 972-219-3600. Anonymous tipsters can also text TipLPD and a message to 847411.

Customers are planning a vigil to remember Suresh outside his store Thursday at 5:15 p.m.