Detroit auto parts store manager killed, wife: 'you didn't have to shoot him'

DETROIT (WJBK) - A little more than 24 hours after a Detroit auto parts store shot and killed, family members are pleading with the women responsible to turn themselves in as O'Reilly's and CRIME STOPPERS announced a $12,500 reward.

James Haller, Jr., was shot and killed inside the O'Reilly's Auto Parts store on Schaffer near Six Mile in Detroit Wednesday evening. O'Reilly Auto Parts is offering $10,000 and Crime Stoppers is offering a $2,500 reward but the family says the money won't bring him back.

"Words can't describe how I feel. They took my father away from me. He raised me. He raised other kids in the neighborhood. All-around good man," his son, James Haller III said. "He was on his way home. He come out the back, and that happens."

Detroit Police say two women were on surveillance video walking inside the auto part store and announcing a robbery. They told one employee to get down on the ground and when the store manager, James Haller Junior, came from the back of the store, one of the women shot him in the head with a handgun killing him.

Police said the suspects fled the scene in a burgundy Chevy Suburban with a broken back passenger side window with plastic covering it. 

James Haller Junior served our country and his community.

"He was a military man. He was a Marine. Served two tours in Vietnam. Retired from General Motors. He was an auto worker and union worker," Haller III said. 

"Also, he served the Detroit Police Department in the late 70s as a Detroit Reserved Police Officer," Chief James Craig said.

Craig says there were people in the building who could help in the investigation.

"We know that there were two witnesses at this location: A man who bumped into the suspects, we would like for him to come forward so we can interview him.

"Words can't describe how I feel. They took my father away from me. He raised me. Erased other kids in the neighborhood. All-around good man."

The suspect who fired the shot is described as a black female, 5 feet, 8 inches between 180 and 230 pounds with curly hair, maroon pants, and a blue Jean jacket. Suspect two is also a black female, between 25 and 35, standing 5 feet, 7 inches and wearing a jacket with fur trim.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP or Detroit police at (313) 596-2260.