Chau Nguyen's 11 News report | Carolyn Campbell's 11 News report | Surveillance tape | 911 call

A Fort Bend County gas station clerk is dead despite complying with a masked gunman’s demands late Wednesday night.

FBCSO

This image was taken from the Chevron's surveillance tape.

Signs of condolence began appearing at the door of the store as flowers and cards arrived.

It happened at a Chevron on FM 1464 at Bissonnet around 11:45 p.m. Wednesday and those who live and work around the suburban area are upset about it.

From the employees of a nail salon two doors down to regular customers, such as Kevin Barton, who came to pay his respects.

“It’s kind of sad that you have to look over your shoulder in a nice part of town with good neighborhoods,” Barton said.

Investigators said that crime is on the rise and they believe that it’s migrating from southwest Houston.

“That area’s grown very rapidly and you’ve actually had an increase in what’s gonna be gang-related activity in Houston in that part of our county,” said Deputy Kevin Brady Fort Bend Co. sheriff’s office.

A suspected accomplice of the murder suspect was arrested after a tip was received.  He is believed to be a gang member and is 17 years old.

Investigators also recovered what is believed to be the murder weapon.

The final moments of 24-year-old Altaf Maknojia’s life were captured on surveillance video.

Authorities released that tape and the 911 call Thursday.

You can hear the fear and panic of co-workers in a 911 call.

Caller: “Please hurry up. Help! Help!”

911 operator: “Is he breathing right now?”

Caller: “He’s breathing. He’s still breathing.”

Officials said the co-workers didn’t even realize their store was being robbed until they heard a single gunshot.

Caller: Somebody, somebody shot him.”

911 operator: “What does the person look like?”

Sometime before midnight, surveillance video shows a masked suspect entering the store and confronting Maknojia.

Maknojia appears to comply without resistance. He gives the suspect cash and cigarettes.

It’s on tape, but the sheriff’s office did not release the part of the tape showing the suspect turning around and shooting Maknojia before leaving.

The clerk died at the store.

Two other employees stocking a back cooler heard the gunshots and ran out to see the suspect fleeing.

“They did not actually witness the robbery,” Capt. Jim Pokluda said. “They heard the gunshot and came out as the suspect was fleeing and attempted to aid their coworker.”

Police dogs were brought to the front of the store, and they picked up something. The dogs then lead investigators to the back of the store, where there is a neighborhood.

Veteran officers don’t know why the suspect shot the clerk after he complied.

“It makes you wonder what someone is thinking when they can cold blooded kill someone especially when you’re talking about young people. It’s mind boggling, I can’t figure it out,” said Chief Deputy Craig Brady with the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s office.

Regular customers like Diane Silas are just as confused.

“Just pleasant young man,” she said. “We’ve had a lot of violence. We have to be extremely careful.”

If you have any information on the crime, please call the Fort Bend County Crime Stoppers at (281) 342-TIPS.