Authorities searching for gunman accused of fatally shooting smoke shop employee in San Jacinto

SAN JACINTO, Calif. - Authorities Thursday were searching for the gunman accused of fatally shooting an employee during an attempted robbery at a smoke shop in San Jacinto, investigators said.

Around 7:40 p.m. Wednesday, Riverside County deputies received a 911 call about a robbery at a business located in the 2300 block of San Jacinto Avenue.

When deputies arrived at Top Smoke Shop, located at 2335 S. San Jacinto Ave., they located an adult male victim suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Deputies performed CPR on the victim until paramedics arrived. Despite paramedics’ efforts, the victim succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The deceased employee has not been publicly identified by authorities.

The Riverside County Sheriff's Department was asking anyone with information regarding this incident to contact Central Homicide Investigator Navarrete at 951-955-2777, or Hemet Station Investigator Vasquez at 951-791-3400.