Police seek assailant as New Bedford shooting victim dies
A regular customer of a New Bedford convenience store died last night, a day after being shot in the head as he tried to thwart an armed holdup at the shop. Yesterday, authorities asked for the public’s help in identifying the shooter.
The victim, who was pronounced dead just after 7 p.m. at Rhode Island Hospital, was shot between 8:30 and 9 p.m. at Petro Mart, said Gregg Miliote, a spokesman for Bristol District Attorney C. Samuel Sutter. New Bedford police identified the victim as John Martins of New Bedford. The district attorney’s office said he was 32.
Detectives are looking for a light-skinned Hispanic male who appeared to be in his late teens or early 20s, Miliote said. Police released photos last night, showing a suspect in a sweatshirt with the hood pulled over his head, but with some of his face exposed. He is described as being between 5 feet 11 inches and 6 feet 2 inches tall, with a pronounced nose and thin moustache.
Tony Khalife, an employee at the store, said by phone that the shooter made a purchase, then showed the cashier a handgun. Martins, a frequent customer, tried to intervene.
“He tried to reach for the gun, and he couldn’t grab it,’’ said Khalife. He said the shooter shot Martins in the head, then ran without taking any money.
Police are asking anyone who was in the area to call the detective division at 508-991-6300 or the anonymous tip line at 508-99-CRIME.
Khalife said Martins does not have family in the area and spent time at the store, befriending staff and regular customers.
“He was a good guy, a nice guy,’’ he said.
Matt Collette can be reached at mpcollette@globe.com. Globe correspondent Emma Stickgold contributed to this report. 
