Britt Prawat

And sure enough, his gut feeling was right on the money. He spotted a man who looked to be in his 30s on the ground in the parking lot. Brian jumped out of his car, raced to the man's side, and saw he was bleeding out fast from a wound in his chest. Brian recognized this man. He didn't know him personally, but he knew of him. Most people in town did.

32-year-old Javid Akhtar ran the One Stop convenience store pretty much all on his own. He was there seven days a week. And just like the name suggests, One Stop was a place the residents of East Windsor stopped into often to stock up on everything from groceries to coffee to cigarettes and lottery tickets.

32-year-old Javid Akhtar ran the One Stop convenience store pretty much all on his own. He was there seven days a week. And just like the name suggests, One Stop was a place the residents of East Windsor stopped into often to stock up on everything from groceries to coffee to cigarettes and lottery tickets.

32-year-old Javid Akhtar ran the One Stop convenience store pretty much all on his own. He was there seven days a week. And just like the name suggests, One Stop was a place the residents of East Windsor stopped into often to stock up on everything from groceries to coffee to cigarettes and lottery tickets.

Brian dialed 911 as quickly as he could from his cell phone, and within minutes, police and EMTs were screeching into the parking lot. East Windsor Police Chief Matthew Carl was a detective with the department at the time. He was nearby investigating an unrelated robbery at a gas station that night when he got the call about the shooting.

Brian dialed 911 as quickly as he could from his cell phone, and within minutes, police and EMTs were screeching into the parking lot. East Windsor Police Chief Matthew Carl was a detective with the department at the time. He was nearby investigating an unrelated robbery at a gas station that night when he got the call about the shooting.

Brian dialed 911 as quickly as he could from his cell phone, and within minutes, police and EMTs were screeching into the parking lot. East Windsor Police Chief Matthew Carl was a detective with the department at the time. He was nearby investigating an unrelated robbery at a gas station that night when he got the call about the shooting.

He was on the scene at the one-stop in less than three minutes, and he says Javid was in bad shape as paramedics loaded him into an ambulance and raced him to the hospital.

He was on the scene at the one-stop in less than three minutes, and he says Javid was in bad shape as paramedics loaded him into an ambulance and raced him to the hospital.

He was on the scene at the one-stop in less than three minutes, and he says Javid was in bad shape as paramedics loaded him into an ambulance and raced him to the hospital.

With Javid clinging to life at the hospital, detectives back at the scene started trying to figure out what had happened, first checking to make sure no one else had been hurt. When they stepped into the one-stop, they found no other victims. In fact, the store was quiet and tidy. There was nothing to indicate something had just gone horribly wrong only a few steps outside.

With Javid clinging to life at the hospital, detectives back at the scene started trying to figure out what had happened, first checking to make sure no one else had been hurt. When they stepped into the one-stop, they found no other victims. In fact, the store was quiet and tidy. There was nothing to indicate something had just gone horribly wrong only a few steps outside.

With Javid clinging to life at the hospital, detectives back at the scene started trying to figure out what had happened, first checking to make sure no one else had been hurt. When they stepped into the one-stop, they found no other victims. In fact, the store was quiet and tidy. There was nothing to indicate something had just gone horribly wrong only a few steps outside.

No signs of a struggle, cash still in the register. In fact, the only things that seemed out of place were a single snack cake and a broom, both lying on the ground. It was as if Javid had been sweeping the floors and dropped the broom when he was interrupted by whatever went down. As detectives surveyed the store, Javid's brother Muhammad pulled up outside.

No signs of a struggle, cash still in the register. In fact, the only things that seemed out of place were a single snack cake and a broom, both lying on the ground. It was as if Javid had been sweeping the floors and dropped the broom when he was interrupted by whatever went down. As detectives surveyed the store, Javid's brother Muhammad pulled up outside.

No signs of a struggle, cash still in the register. In fact, the only things that seemed out of place were a single snack cake and a broom, both lying on the ground. It was as if Javid had been sweeping the floors and dropped the broom when he was interrupted by whatever went down. As detectives surveyed the store, Javid's brother Muhammad pulled up outside.

He'd been sent to check on him by Javid's wife, Rafia.

He'd been sent to check on him by Javid's wife, Rafia.

He'd been sent to check on him by Javid's wife, Rafia.

It's not hard to imagine the sinking feeling Muhammad must have felt when he headed toward the one-stop and saw the red and blue flashing lights from a distance. And he understandably didn't stay at the scene for long. He told police Rafi had sent him over to check on Javid and confirmed that his brother had been working alone at the store that night.