Feds Charge Suspect In Murder Of Hammond, Ind. Store Clerk
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A 27-year-old man has been indicted in the fatal shooting of a 7-Eleven clerk during a January robbery in northwest Indiana.
U.S. Attorney David Capp said Eric Dillon was identified as the man seen on security video, shooting 60-year-old Roger Unton on Jan. 20 at the 7-Eleven at 6031 Hohman Ave in Hammond.
"The indictment alleges that Dillon went into the 7-Eleven in the early morning hours, armed with a handgun, to commit robbery. Mr. Roger Unton was working that morning, and Dillon shot and killed Mr. Unton," Capp said.
Dillon has been indicted on three counts, including murder, a federal robbery charge, and brandishing or discharging a firearm.
Surveillance cameras in the store recorded the robbery and shooting, including close-ups of the gunman, who was wearing a mask and a wig.
Authorities have said the robber shot Unton after becoming enraged when the clerk hit the store's panic button.
"This was a senseless, tragic killing that has shaken this community," Capp said.
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Federal authorities asserted jurisdiction in the case using the Hobbs Act.
"Essentially, we have jurisdiction of a robbery against any entity that is engaged in interstate commerce," Capp said.
Authorities said the video, tips from the public, and forensic evidence led to Dillon's arrest.
"Human life was taken. His family was devastated. We can't give that back to the family, and I'm sorry for that," Hammond Police Chief John Doughty said.
Dillon could face the death penalty if convicted.
Dillon made his initial court appearance Thursday morning dressed in a sweatshirt in jeans. A federal judge assigned him a public defender. Dillon will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals, pending a detention hearing set for Tuesday morning.
