Arlington Gate gas station employee shot, killed during armed robbery attempt, according to JSO

Monday Update: Jacksonville Sheriff Office has confirmed Martin Howard as the victim of the armed robbery on Merril Road. JSO said this is now a homicide investigation.

Sunday Update: The gas station clerk who worked at the Gate gas station in Arlington has passed away, according to family.

The victim's brother told Action News Jax Martin Howard was the employee who was killed.

A Gate gas station clerk is in critical condition Saturday after being shot during an armed robbery while he was working, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff'S Office.

JSO is looking for the man who shot the clerk at the convenience store on Merrill Road in Arlington.

Police say the suspect may be in his late teens. Neighbors tell Action News Jax the victim is well-known in the community and is close to retirement.

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Colleen Kersten heard multiple sirens fly past her and she saw the red and blue JSO lights surrounding the Gate gas station on Merrill Road.

“As soon as I seen where they stopped … I love the night crew that works here. They’re awesome people and I just ran over, and by that time, the ambulance was already pulling out with the police escort,” said Kersten.

Neighbors tell us the victim was someone who is well-loved by the community.

“Yeah, everybody knows Martin, and he’s the type of person to go out of his way to help people,” said Michael Shearin.

Shearin tells us he goes to this gas station almost every day to get a cup of coffee, and he couldn’t believe it when he heard there had been a shooting.

“It’s a shame. He’s the nicest man you’d every meet. He takes care of six cats like they’re his babies, and he’s nice to everybody, and it’s just a shame,” said Shearin.

Shearin tells us the gas station attendant was also set to retire soon – and he feared something like this would happen.

“You know, (the) last year or two, it’s gotten more and more dangerous, a lot of people hanging around the parking lot and stuff like that, so I was always kind of worried for him in there,” he said.

Police aren’t sure if the suspect got away with money or why he fired the shot.

Kersten said she's also started a GoFundMe page for the victim and posted, "Martin Howard is one in a million… he always puts a smile on my face."

JSO is reviewing surveillance video from inside the store. We have requested it so you can get a good look at the suspect.

We’ll post it on our mobile app as soon as police give it to us.

Gate gas station also sent us this statement this afternoon:

"Every member of the gate team is considered family and we are deeply saddened that one of our family members was a victim of a senseless crime early this morning," said John Peyton, Gate's president. "As our employee continues to receive medical care, we are in prayer for him and his loved ones, praying that he will make a full recovery. In addition, we are working closely with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office to provide any assistance possible to help identify the person responsible and bring them to justice."

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