The chilling robbery and murder of Siboram Patro, a 67-year-old Indian-American gas station clerk, by three unidentified masked men, at the Tacony Exxon Minimart in Northeast Philadelphia on January 17, 2023, has sent shock waves among South Asian gas station owners and employees in the United States.
Two days after Patro was shot by the trio in the early hours of January 17 and pronounced dead on arrival by the police, the Exxon gas station announced the discontinuation of overnight services, said a report from CBSnews. The three suspects who fled with the cash register remain at large.
Authorities have now announced a reward of $20K in exchange for information leading to the arrest of these men who committed the ghastly act. Available CCTV footage released by the police from the crime scene revealed that all suspects wore hooded sweatshirts and jackets and covered their faces with masks. One suspect in a red hooded sweatshirt, was spotted with a black handgun.
Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small, while describing the incident from the footage said, “You can clearly see three males enter the property… they all had masks covering their faces. You can see them physically struggle with him and that’s when he gets shot,” adding, “After he collapses, you can see one of the perpetrators then remove the cash register from the office and then take it from the property. This is a tragedy.”
“It was very sad. It was tragic. The member was unfortunately assassinated. He was well-liked by the community who knew kids on a one-on-one basis,” Philadelphia Police Captain Jose Medina said.
Police have requested the public to provide tips by calling (215) 686-8477 or texting (215) 686-8477. All tips will be treated confidentially.
