A few hours later, as our Action News cameras were rolling, police arrested the store clerk, 54-year-old Maninder Kaila.
In an exclusive exchange with AM Live anchor Margot Kim, Kaila seemed confused, saying he did not know why he was being taken into custody.
"Why are you being arrested?"
"I don't know."
"Where were you this morning?"
"At home."
Kingsburg Police took the initial call, but later turned the case over to Fresno County homicide detectives. They spent the afternoon searching Kaila's Fowler home.
Still, they are not releasing any details about a motive for the killing -- or who the victim is. But, the store owner's wife was visibly shaken at the scene. Investigators believe this was an isolated incident.
"Kingsburg has always been a nice community to live in, but no community, Kingsburg or anywhere else is exempt from acts of violence," said Chief Jeff Dunn.
An act that has shocked the Kingsburg community. Especially people who know the suspect.
Friends call him "Mannie" -- they say he's a family man -- whose son recently deployed to Iraq.
They add Kaila has worked at this store for years ... and would never hurt anyone.
A friend of the suspect, Shivraj Pannu said, He's a pretty good guy. He's a good guy. He's never been in trouble before with nobody."
