Britt Prawat

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.

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.

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.

And then Muhammad raced to the hospital where Rafi had met him to wait for news on Javid's condition. Meanwhile, detectives searched the store parking lot and began to canvas the wider area. Ryan, the guy who'd called 911, had stayed at the scene. He told police about the pop sound he'd heard and the brief glimpse he'd gotten of two people running across the street.

And then Muhammad raced to the hospital where Rafi had met him to wait for news on Javid's condition. Meanwhile, detectives searched the store parking lot and began to canvas the wider area. Ryan, the guy who'd called 911, had stayed at the scene. He told police about the pop sound he'd heard and the brief glimpse he'd gotten of two people running across the street.

And then Muhammad raced to the hospital where Rafi had met him to wait for news on Javid's condition. Meanwhile, detectives searched the store parking lot and began to canvas the wider area. Ryan, the guy who'd called 911, had stayed at the scene. He told police about the pop sound he'd heard and the brief glimpse he'd gotten of two people running across the street.

But it was really dark out, so he couldn't make out much detail. Here's Detective Scott Roberts, now the lead detective on the case.

But it was really dark out, so he couldn't make out much detail. Here's Detective Scott Roberts, now the lead detective on the case.

But it was really dark out, so he couldn't make out much detail. Here's Detective Scott Roberts, now the lead detective on the case.

So that's two witnesses describing similar suspects and pointing police toward the fence on the edge of the Mill Pond Village apartments. A sprawling housing complex with multiple buildings, a few big parking lots, and hundreds of units. A place Chief Carl said police knew well.

So that's two witnesses describing similar suspects and pointing police toward the fence on the edge of the Mill Pond Village apartments. A sprawling housing complex with multiple buildings, a few big parking lots, and hundreds of units. A place Chief Carl said police knew well.