Mobile Police have identified 40-year-old Gerald Westry as the victim in Tuesday night’s homicide at the Family Dollar on Springhill Avenue near Ann Street.

Westry was working his managerial shift when he was shot and killed.

Mobile Police Chief James Barber said they haven’t ruled out attempted robbery as a motive yet, but haven’t labeled it as one either. “We’re still trying to piece together what the motive was. He was an employee inside at work in the store when he was shot. But, there was no cash or register taken from the store,” Barber said.

Employees who work at Greer’s Cash Saver next door recall the terrifying moments that happened just before 7 p.m.

“I was standing in the office, and a guy comes running through the door that works for the Family Dollar and asks where our security guard was. He said it numerous times and then said ‘call the police!  We’ve just been robbed,’ the employee, who didn’t want to be identified, recalled.

“I was on the phone with the police department and a couple of customers who had been inside the Family Dollar were standing outside and said they heard gunshots, 4 or 5 gunshots. It’s tragic. We’re real shaken up,” he continued.

Jamie Hopper, who said he’s a cousin of Westry and pulled up to the parking lot just minutes after the shooting, said he’s shaken up.

“It was a hard feeling,” Hopper said. “He was funny. He made you laugh. That’s the only thing I can say. I’m going to miss him. Gonna miss him, man.”

Hopper said Westry just celebrated his 40th birthday on Sunday. If you have any information that could lead to an arrest, call Mobile Police.