DETROIT – Detroit police are actively searching for two suspects involved in a deadly shooting at a Detroit O'Reilly store. That search led them to a house on Detroit's west side Sunday night.
Police officers and SWAT surrounded a home on Chalfonte Street, searching for Shawnta Sharee Anderson, 23. Police said she and Eboni Monae Mcewen-Ross, 28, were involved in the shooting death of James Haller, the manager at the O'Reilly auto parts store on Schaefer.
Police said the duo robbed the store and Anderson shot James Haller.
"You had the money and you had to turn around and shoot him. Tell me for what," James Haller's wife, Patricia Haller, said. "That's what I want to know: Why?"
Patricia Haller said she hasn't slept since she learned of her husband's death.
"We won't have closure until both of them are caught," she said. "Especially that shooter."
Police spent a couple of hours on Chalfonte Street Sunday night searching the area, talking to neighbors and taking photos inside the house.
While Anderson and Mcewen-Ross are still on the run, Patricia Haller is waiting for the call from the Detroit Police Department, saying they're in custody.
"Turn yourself in, because you took my husband from me," she said. "You took my friend from me. You took my children's father from them. You took a granddaddy from them. To see them caught and go to prison and never get out, that will do my heart a little good."
A new picture of the vehicle believed to have been used in the robbery has also been released.
Sources confirm Anderson has a registered gun and she posted an image of herself holding a weapon on social media just a few weeks ago. Sources say they believe it's the same gun used to kill James Haller.
Police said they believe the two women may be fleeing to Ohio because they have family there.
Authorities continue to search for the two women involved in the robbery and a possible third person who acted as a getaway driver.
What happened
James W. Haller Jr. was shot and killed during a robbery Wednesday at the O’Reilly Auto Parts store on Schaefer Highway. He was gunned down at about 5:30 p.m.
ORIGINAL REPORT: Police search for 2 women after employee killed during robbery at O'Reilly Auto Parts in Detroit
Haller served as a Marine in the Vietnam War and was a retired assembly line worker at General Motors. He served with the Detroit Police Department as a reserve officer in the late 1970s. He was 69.
Surveillance video shows two women walking into the store and milling around before pulling out a gun and announcing a robbery.
The women were clearing out the cash register when Haller went to aide employees. A single shot was fired and Haller was killed.
“I’m so distraught, but not losing faith,” the victim's daughter, Jaime Haller-Sharpe, said.
Chief Craig: We’re going to find you
Detroit Police Chief James Craig held a news conference Thursday to discuss the case. Haller’s family was present and pleaded for the women to turn themselves into police.
“Turn yourself in, because God’s going to get you if the police don’t. You have to pay for what you did,” Haller’s wife said. You took a father away. You took a husband away.”
Craig called Haller an American hero and had a message for the women responsible.
“We’re going to find you,” Craig said. “Not only are we going to find you, but we’re going to arrest you. It’s just a matter of time.”
Surveillance video shows robbery, shooting
Surveillance video from inside O’Reilly Auto Parts shows the robbery in progress and the moment Haller was fatally shot.
Other customers are shown taking cover on the floor and in the corner.
Rewards offered for information
A total of $12,500 is being offered for information that leads to an arrest.
Crime Stoppers is offering $2,500.
O’Reilly Auto Parts is offering $10,000.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Detroit Police Department or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.
Funeral arrangements made
Funeral arrangements were made for Haller and the costs are being covered by O’Reilly Auto Parts and the VA.
Visitation is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 1, between 1 and 5 p.m. at the Swanson Funeral Home on West McNichols Road.
The funeral will be held Monday, Nov. 13 at 10:30 a.m. at Star Zion Missionary Baptist Church on Ferry Park Avenue.
