Clerk and 16-year-old armed robbery suspect killed in shootout at Visalia liquor store, police say

VISALIA, Calif. (KFSN) -- Visalia police say a 20-year-old liquor store clerk and a 16-year-old suspect have died following a shootout between the two during an armed robbery.

It happened around 11 pm Sunday at the EZ Mart Liquor Store on Walnut Avenue and Giddings Street.

Officers say the 16-year-old tried robbing the store.

Surveillance video from inside of the store captured the clerk, identified by his family as Krish Singh, and his co-worker standing behind the counter.

The suspect can be seen walking into the store and pointing a weapon at the clerks.

Krish grabs a gun and a few seconds later he and the suspect both open fire.

Police found the 16-year-old in the parking lot.

He was rushed to the hospital, where he died.

Krish was found dead inside the store.

Krish is the son of Partap Singh, who is the owner of the liquor store.

Partap and his wife are devastated by the loss of their only son.

"My wife is dying at home. If I don't get (Krish's) dead body in a day or two, she will be gone too," said Partap.

He is now remembering his son as a friendly and kind man who was loved by many.

"That's how he was. He was always like that and never had an enemy anywhere," explained Partap.

Partap says nothing will ease the pain of his loss, but at this moment he only wants to take his son's body to their native country as the family grieves his loss.

"I want to take him to India, I don't want to wait anymore. They said I need to do an autopsy but I don't want to do the autopsy," Partap said.

Anyone with more information is asked to contact the Visalia Police Department.

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