Customers sought in store slaying
Police are seeking the public’s help in identifying three customers who patronized Jim & Lu’s Food Mart Saturday, two days before the fatal shooting of a store employee.
Police spokesman Cpl. Tommy Stubbs emphasized Wednesday these people are not accused of shooting Montaser Zarrouq on Monday, but rather detectives want to talk them to see what they may know. He did not elaborate.
Police released two surveillance videos Wednesday showing two men and one woman whom they would like to speak with regarding the slaying of Zarrouq, 32, 1548 Del Plaza Drive, outside Jim & Lu’s Food Mart, 1701 Government St.
The first video, shot at 9:02 p.m. Saturday, shows a young man entering the store, lighting a cigarette and buying condoms. He is wearing a black T-shirt and has a short haircut.
The second video, shot at 9:07 p.m. Saturday, shows a young woman in a red dress talking on the phone as the man she is with buys something. The man is wearing a baseball cap and a black hooded sweatshirt.
Zarrouq was shot moments after he finished his shift at the store, said his cousin, Alex Asmar.
The victim, who was a husband and father, was sitting inside his car parked in front of the shop when someone fired four bullets, Asmar said.
The employee inside the store heard the shots and came outside to see what happened, but the shooter had already fled, Asmar said. Zarrouq was taken to a hospital where he later died, Asmar said.
Stubbs said information police have collected thus far does not point to robbery as a motive.
However, Stubbs said, the investigation into Zarrouq’s death is ongoing and facts surrounding the case could change.
Anyone with information on the identity of the individuals in the video or about the case is urged to contact the East Baton Rouge Violent Crimes Unit at (225) 389-3844 or Crime Stoppers at (225) 344-7867.