Reward offered in Petro Mart murder

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WPRI) - In an effort to catch the gunman in last month's deadly shooting at New Bedford convenience store, investigators announced they are offering a reward.

During a news conference Wednesday afternoon, Bristol County District Attorney Sam Sutter and police officials also released the complete surveillance video of the June 20 murder.

(Click here to see the unedited surveillance video.)

They are hoping the video will help them catch the gunman who shot 32-year-old John Martin to death. Martin was in the Petro Mart on Coggeshall St. between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. when a armed man held up the store. Police said the gunman shot Martin, who was friends with the store clerk, when Martin tried to stop the thief.

"There's definitely someone out there who knows who he is," said Petro Mart owner Michael Khalif. "I think the reward will help make someone step forward and do the right thing. John was a nice kid."

Petro Mart owners helped collect the reward money.

Investigators said they also hope someone can identify a woman who was in the store around the time of the robbery.

"She might've seen his face. She might know who it is. It's basic police work to try to locate her and try to talk to her," Sutter said.

Police believe the gunman is a light-skinned, Hispanic man with a thin mustache. He's 5' 11" to 6' 2" in height. He was last seen getting into a dark-colored Honda.

Anyone with information is asked to call New Bedford police at 508-99-CRIME.