Family and friends remember Jimmy McMillan who was shot and killed in robbery attempt

BELLE GLADE, Fla. - A Belle Glade community is in shock and disbelief after a prominent fisherman, Jimmy McMillan, was murdered inside his family-owned grocery store.

As police continue to search for his killer, those who knew him are trying to come to terms with his death.

McMillan, 49, was a family man, married with children and worked in the family-owned grocery store for years where he was killed on Monday.

Friends of McMillan are trying to understand why anyone would do such a thing.

"He didn't deserve this," said a close friend.

"It hurts bad," said Curtis Mosley.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office said a masked man with a gun walked into the Alabama Georgia Grocery store in Belle Glade around 6:30 a.m. Monday morning where McMillan was working.

Investigators say he fired on McMillan.

A store employee ran towards the sound of gunfire and found McMillan fighting for his life. The shooter had run out. Customers were brought to tears.

"All I can do is pray," said customer Bobbie Hardnett. "He was a father, he was a son and somebody just took him away."

McMillan was airlifted to Delray Beach Medical Center where he later died.

His close friend, Corey Hall, talked about the shock and grief felt across the community.

"I never thought somebody would shoot him like this because everyone around here loved him," said Hall.

Friends say McMillan spent most of his life working at the family-owned grocery store and fishing on Lake Okeechobee.

He won several competitions held by "FLW Outdoors," a popular fishing tournament.

Signs to 'stop the violence' are being raised, again, across the city.

A description of the gunman is vague, but there is hope someone will come forward with information that can lead deputies to an arrest.

"He deserves some real bad punishment and I hope they catch him," said Mosley.

If you know anything about this crime, you are urged to call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-458-TIPS.