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Police search for suspect after Madeira store owner shot, killed Tuesday night

Maderia Beverage robbery shooting
Posted at 10:29 PM, Feb 09, 2021
and last updated 2021-02-10 10:46:47-05

MADEIRA, Ohio — The owner of Madeira Beverage was shot and killed in his store Tuesday night, and police said the suspect is still at large.

Officers responded to Madeira Beverage on the 6000 block of Kenwood Road for a report of a person shot just before 8 p.m., Madeira Police Chief David Schaefer said.

Police found the owner, 68-year-old Roop Gupta, with a single gunshot wound. Gupta was rushed to UC Hospital, where he died of his injuries.

The suspected gunman, who may be armed with a semi-automatic weapon, stands 6 feet tall, weighs 240 pounds and was wearing black clothes with a red face mask, Schaefer said. It's unclear if anything was taken from the store, and police are now looking through surveillance video.

"It appears that they did leave in a vehicle," Schaefer said. "We believe it’s an isolated incident. There’s no safety concern for residents of Madeira or the surrounding communities.”

Tuesday was the second time Gupta was shot inside the store. In September 2012, authorities said William Hart shot Gupta in the stomach multiple times during a robbery. Gupta was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. His wife was also working when the store was robbed, and police said she was thrown against a wine cellar, according to a 2012 WCPO report.

Hart was arrested during a routine traffic stop in Golf Manor a few days later, and he was later convicted on several charges including aggravated robbery and felonious assault.