Deadly Convenience Store Robberies Could Be Connected

A suspected robbery of a convenience store in North Little Rock leaves the employee dead. Another robbery in Jacksonville could be related.

The first happened in the 3600 block of MacArthur around 9:30 PM, according to police.

"Found the clerk had been shot, and she was pronounced deceased on the scene," said Sergeant Brian Dedrick.

Akiya Egeston, 29, was shot and killed. It's a horrible scenario law enforcement says they hope to get justice for.

The suspects were photographed entering the store with the intent to rob it, according to police, but left without taking anything.

That's when they said one re-entered and shot Egeston, police said, killing her instantly.

"Hoping someone will come forward who saw something in that area," said Sergeant Dedrick, "Or down 36th street where they ran and hope someone saw something."

The three men were dressed in dark clothing and had their faces covered.

According to police they are described as a white man, a black man and one man of unidentifiable ethnicity.

They're asking anyone with information to come forward.

The E-Z-mart owners are offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to a conviction in this case.

In what police said is a related incident, Jacksonville police are investigating an armed robbery at another convenience store.

This one happened at the Citgo on Marshall road just after 2:00 AM Sunday morning.

Police said a man with a black handgun entered the store demanding money.

The clerk was able to open the register for the man, who also demanded cigarettes and for the safe to be opened.

When the clerk could not do what he asked, he threatened to shoot her, but she was able to run from the store unharmed.