October 5, 2023
TACOMA, WA—A beloved local convenience store owner was shot and killed in Tacoma on October 3 and police are currently investigating the incident as a homicide.
Police officers arrived in the 3500 block of South Ainsworth Avenue just after 1 p.m. on Tuesday after receiving a call about a possible shooting. Responding officers found a man with a gunshot wound at the scene, according to KING5.
Tacoma Fire Department crews arrived and attempted life-saving efforts to save 60-year-old Charlie Park, however, Park died at the scene.
He was a co-owner of The Little Store, a convenience store that sits at the corner of South 35th Street and South Ainsworth Avenue.
The family-run store is in the heart of the neighborhood and a place locals visit daily, reports KING5.
Multiple residents around the community told local news outlets that they are devastated and rallying around the owner’s family as police piece together what happened and who pulled the trigger.
Park and his family ran The Little Store after immigrating to the United States from South Korea almost 20 years ago.
“I miss him,” said Todd McCarther told KING5, who lives near the store. “It hasn’t even been a full day and I miss him. The smile, the greetings, it’s really heartbreaking.”
McCarther called 911 after he heard Park’s family screaming for help.
Police later confirmed a robbery was taking place before Park was shot.
The store has remained closed for the time being. Authorities do not have a description of the suspect or suspects but anyone with information about the incident should contact Tacoma-Pierce County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222 TIPS.
According to the Tacoma Police Department, there were 42 homicides in 2022. There have been 22 homicides in Tacoma this year.
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