Family ID's worker gunned down inside Philly store as loving husband, father

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Philadelphia police are investigating after a corner store employee was shot and killed in the city's Brewerytown neighborhood on Thursday.

It happened just after 6:30 p.m. on the 1500 block of North 29th Street at the Jefferson Food Market.

The 37-year-old employee, identified by his family as José Alberto Almonte, was shot once in the neck while inside the store, police say.

Officers said the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Almonte was a husband, father, and stepfather. According to his family, he worked at the store for about two years.

They were stunned when they got the news of his death.

"I just don't have the words right now. I don't know what to tell my little brother - my two little brothers, and my sister," said Derek Santana, Almonte's stepson.

Police believe Almonte was stocking shelves when at least one gunman came in and opened fire.

Investigators added that it seems Almonte never saw the gunshots coming.

"They (police officers) go inside the store and in one of the aisles they find a 37-year-old male slumped on the floor, unresponsive, with at least one gunshot wound to his neck," said Chief Inspector Scott Small with the Philadelphia Police Department.

At this time, officials do not have any descriptions of the suspect or suspects in this case.

For the victim's family, the shooting seems senseless.

They said Almonte was a role model for his children and was a loving husband to his wife.

"Just keep your family close, just try and make peace with everybody, you know, because they could be taken from you at any moment," said Santana.

There is no word yet on the circumstances leading up to this shooting.

No arrests have been made and no weapons were recovered at the scene.

Officials say they are looking through security footage inside and outside the store for more information.

RELATED: Check the 6abc Neighborhood Safety Tracker