Cops Hope Video of “Horrendous” Killing Brings Leads

On Wednesday, Norwalk Police released security video showing the “horrendous” execution-style killing of Jose Jaquin Morales, 33, a clerk at the Shell Gas Station on West Avenue.

The surveillance video, taken during the robbery Saturday, shows one hooded person pointing a handgun while another person grabs items from the gas station counter.

What they did not release was the portion of the video showing Morales being shot execution-style.

Police hope releasing the security video leads them to the two men who they say committed cold-blooded murder. 

"The robbery was extremely brutal. Words cannot explain how horrendous this was," Police Chief Harry Rilling told the Connecticut Post earlier this week.

Morales had already given the robbers the cash they demanded and was on the ground when one of the men shot him in the head, leaving him in critical condition, police said.

Morales died Monday afternoon after his family made the decision to take him off life support. He was Norwalk's first murder victim in more than a year.

Morales' relatives say Jose was starting to worry that his job at the gas station was too risky. But he was working hard to help his family, regularly sending money back to his parents in Guatemala.

"It's sad, but I think the city is safe overall. Random acts are hard to predict. You have violent people like this who kill someone who complies, for no logical reason," Norwalk Mayor Dick Moccia said.

One clue police hope could lead them to the killer is the security video footage that shows a Jeep, which police believe might have been the getaway car.

Family members are trying to raise about $14,000 to send his body back for burial in Guatemala.

They say it was parked near the Shell station during the robbery and believe it make a U-turn from the gas station and headed toward Interstate 95.

Morales was generous even in his death, donating his organs so others could live. 

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