Manager, 69, was 'unnecessary victim' in O'Reilly Auto Parts robbery shooting: police
DETROIT (WJBK) - WEB UPDATE (4:45 p.m.): There is a $12,500 reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspects in the fatal shooting. O'Reilly Auto Parts is offering $10,000 and Crime Stoppers is offering a $2,500 reward.
Authorities are still looking for two women after an elderly man was murdered at a Detroit auto parts store Wednesday evening.
Police say the two women walked into the O'Reilly Auto Parts store on Schaefer near 6 Mile Road around 5:30 p.m. to execute a robbery. But police say they took more than cash -- they took the life of the 69-year-old manager.
"This was senseless. They had the money. They had the money. Why did she have to shoot my daddy? Why?" Jamie Haller wants to know.
"Definitely an unnecessary victim. This is something that didn't have to turn to violence. Robbery is a crime in itself, but to escalate it to this point for no reason that I could see is unexcusable," Detroit Police Capt. Darin Szilagy said.
Investigators say the suspects were trying to clear out the cash register when the manager, 69-year-old James Haller Jr., heard the commotion and went to check it out. Police say the woman seen on surveillance video in maroon pants and white tank top fired a single shot that stuck Haller in the head.
2 women wanted for fatally shooting O'Reilly manager in Detroit
"He was coming out of the back and I believe he said something to the effect of, 'Hey, what's going on?' or, something, and she shot him. But they had the money; she had the money. She didn't have to shoot my daddy; they didn't have to kill my daddy," Jamie says.
The cost of his life? Police say a mere $100.
Haller was a retired General Motors employee who took on the job at O'Reilly Auto Parts to keep busy. He was also a Vietnam veteran who always tried to protect others.
"If you know who did this, please just turn them in. Please," Jamie pleads.
Police describe the woman suspected of firing the gun as a black woman, 5 feet 8 inches tall weighing between 180 and 230 pounds. She has curly hair and was wearing maroon pants, a blue jean jacket and white tank top. Her accomplice is described a black woman wearing a jacket with fur on the collar and blue jean pants.
Police say they drove away in a burgundy SUV with a broken rear, passenger-side window that has plastic over it.
If you know anything about this crime or the suspects, you're asked to call Detroit Police at (313) 596-5200. You can also call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP, where you will remain anonymous.
The O'Reilly district manager told FOX 2 Thursday morning they plan to pay for Haller's funeral.
This is a developing story. Stay with FOX 2 for updates.
An earlier version of this story stated the victim's age as 75.