PARMA, Mo. -- Law enforcement officers are continuing their investigation in the murder of a store clerk during an apparent armed robbery in Parma.
According to the New Madrid County Sheriff Terry Stevens, Brenda Smith, 59, a rural Parma resident, was shot at approximately 5:30 a.m. Monday as she and another employee were opening the D and L One Stop for business.
Stevens reported as the women were unlocking the door, a man dressed in black forced his way in behind them. "He demanded money at gun point and shot one of the women in the head with a fatal shot," he said.
The assailant took a few items from the store, fleeing on foot.
The victim was taken to Southeast Hospital of Stoddard County in Dexter, where she was pronounced dead at 7 a.m. Stevens said the second employee was not harmed although "pretty shook up."
Officers from the New Madrid County Sheriff's Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Parma Police Department along with members of the Major Case Squad began their investigation Monday morning.
As the officers searched for clues inside and outside of the convenience store Monday morning, co-workers and local residents stood nearby, talking quietly and hugging one another.
Mary Hardin described the victim as a hard worker.
"She was outgoing, friendly, super nice to everybody," said Hardin. "There was no reason anybody needed to hurt her."
Tonja Pulling, manager of D and L One Stop, hired Smith to work at the business about five years ago. She said Smith was a dependable employee, who always got to work on time.
"You could depend on her to do her job and do it like it was suppose to be done," Harding said.
According to Harding, although the owners had announced the store would close in two weeks, Smith had volunteered if they changed their minds about the closing, she would return to work.
With the fatal shooting, Harding said, the business is closing immediately.
"We are not open anymore. I can't bring myself to open it and put my girls at risk," she explained.
Co-workers said Smith is married and has two children and several grandchildren.
"We need to send up prayers for her husband and family," said Hardin. "They will need all the prayers they can get."
And a bystander added, "And so does Parma."
The assailant is described as a black male, approximately 5-foot, 7-inches to 5-foot, 9-inches tall with a medium build. Stevens said the man is considered armed and dangerous.
Persons with information relating to the crime are asked to contact the New Madrid County Sheriff's office at 573-748-2516 or contact their local police department. Anyone with information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons involved in the fatal shooting can be eligible for the $25,000 reward that is being offered in the case.