Mount Dora store owner killed, co-owner injured in armed robbery

MONT DORA, Florida – A woman was shot and killed and a man was seriously injured Monday night in a random robbery at their Mount Dora convenience store, police said.

Acting Mount Dora Police Chief Brett Meade told a press conference Tuesday morning that the victims, owners of the T&N Market on North Grandview Street, were closing overnight when they were both shot in many times.

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Meade said officers found the man, identified as Khiem Ba Trinh, 56, passing by Tony, and a woman, identified as Minh Nguyen (Tina), 47, inside the store with injuries. Gunshot.

Nguyen was pronounced dead at the scene and Trinh was airlifted to the Central Florida Regional Hospital in Sanford, where he remains in critical condition, according to Meade.

Meade said video from outside the store shows an armed man wearing dark clothing confronting Trinh and forcing him back into the store, where the robbery and shooting took place. No one else was in the store at the time of the shooting, Meade said.

“A subject in black, hoodie up, approached Tony as he was putting items in his car and preparing to shut down the store so that subject forced him – Tony – back into the room.” the store where the robberies and shootings took place, ”Meade said.

The armed thief is then seen on video leaving the store with a white bag, although Meade said he did not yet know what was stolen from the store.

The perpetrator was described as a short man.

“This individual will be caught,” Meade said. “Please help us convey this information so that we can bring this person to justice.”

Meade said he hopes the video from inside the store will provide even more clues about the set.

“It strikes at the heart of our community, it is a dagger in all of our hearts,” Meade said.

Lorraine Bowman bought flowers and placed them outside the store on Tuesday morning.

“It’s something that is taken up by the community. It is not real. It’s so unreal to see this happening, ”she said.

Meade said two people entered the store after the shooting and he believed one of them called 911 to report the incident. He said investigators were trying to identify the appellant.

The T&N Market was seen as a staple of the northeastern community, and authorities called the store owners the pillars of Mount Dora.

A candlelight vigil will be held Tuesday at 6 p.m. outside the store.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Mount Dora Police or Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS.