PALM BAY, Fla. -- The Palm Bay Police Department said every officer was working to help catch three men accused of shooting and killing a convenience store clerk Sunday.

Police said the men were after beer and cash when they gunned down store owner Ken Patel, 49. The husband and father was working at the Beverage Store on Port Malabar Boulevard Sunday afternoon.

As the robbers tried to escape, a customer was entering the store. They reportedly told him not to move. Police said, once they left, however, he called for help.

Officers were not able to revive Patel. One customer described him as a good man who was hard-working.

"They were nice people, also polite," said customer Sonja Precious. "Even during the hurricanes, they always stayed open."

Detectives were also trying to determine if the deadly robbery was connected to a second crime earlier Sunday. Masked men allegedly entered the Malabar Discount Beverage on Babcock Street and tried to shoot the clerk, but the gun wouldn't fire. A relative of Patel's is believed to own the store.

The Beverage Store where Patel was killed is across the street from a police substation, but police said it is not staffed at all times.

Eyewitnesses said the men escaped in a blue sedan or sports car. A reward is being offered for the suspects' capture.