Man killed in armed robbery at DeKalb County gas station identified

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. - Police are investigating a deadly shooting during a reported armed robbery at a gas station in DeKalb County early Wednesday morning.

Officers blocked off the entire parking lot of the BP on Flat Shoals Road near the Vineyard Walk intersection before 3 a.m. Wednesday.

While details about the investigation remain scarce, DeKalb County police say they were called to the gas station at around 2 a.m. after reports of a shooting.

At the scene, officers found the body of a man who had been shot at least once. 

They said the victim and another worker were inside the store at around 2 a.m. when four men entered the business and shot the owner multiple times, killing him.  FOX 5 was told that one or two men waited outside in a getaway car.

Investigators believe the violence began as an armed robbery that escalated into a deadly shooting. 

FOX 5 cameras saw several police officers, homicide units, and a funeral van at the scene.

Detective returned to the crime scene Wednesday morning to retrieve surveillance video.

The gas station was only closed for a short time after the fatal shooting. It was back to business as usual by noon. The gas station was open for business Wednesday afternoon, serving a steady stream of customers, who were saddened to learn what happened.

 "I'm sorry to hear about it because they are a nice family, very nice," a woman lamented.

Customers expressed their concern and growing frustration over gun violence plaguing communities nationwide.

It's just heartbreaking.  What can we do?" asked resident Ben Favors.

Those who talked to FOX 5 say the shooting was the second in the area in a week.

"I think all of these gas stations need to close by 12 o'clock. If people don't have their gas by twelve o'clock too bad," said Empress Trotter.

Police identified the victim on Thursday as 24-year-old Rahil Surani.

Trotter said that people loiter at the gas station and conduct illegal activity. DeKalb County officials recently passed a mandate requiring gas stations to install surveillance cameras. She believes more can be done to reduce crime. 

"Someone coming out to your car trying to sell you something.  It's just too much going on out here," said Trotter.

If you have any information that could help with the investigation, call the DeKalb County Police Department.