Updated with video of the shooting.
The last time 32-year-old Zuheily Roman Rosado had an unmerciful run-in with armed men, it happened to be with members of the Bunnell Police Department several years ago, when they illegally impounded her car on a dubious charge. That was back when the department was doing so almost routinely, and extorting money from drivers who wanted their cars back.
Rosado, a single mother with young children, was working at a local Taco Bell and didn’t immediately have the required $350 to get her car back. She eventually had to pay $800 to retrieve it from a wrecker’s yard in Bunnell. It was called an “excess storage fee.” The incident was detailed in a State Attorney’s report three years ago that detailed how Bunnell and its police department took advantage of drivers through a policy since scrapped.
Thursday evening just past 10 p.m., Rosado, a clerk at the Mobil gas station on State Road 100, was shot and killed toward the end of her shift.
The shooting, judging from a surveillance video the sheriff’s office released, appears to be a targeted hit: the assailant entered the store, immediately went to the counter, shot Rosado, and left rapidly.
It is the second reported homicide in Palm Coast or Flagler County in less than two months. The first was reported after the discovery in mid-January of a man who’d been killed near 16 Covington Lane.
The incident was reported to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office at 10:21 p.m. by a customer who entered the store and discovered Rosado on the floor behind the counter, according to a sheriff’s release. Patrol deputies with K-9 units got to the scene within three minutes of the call, but produced no suspect after setting up a perimeter launching a search.
Rosado lived at 601 Madison Green Circle in Palm Coast, the scene of a shooting just three weeks ago.
The suspect is seen on video entering the store. He is described as a light-skinned man, approximately 5’10” tall, wearing blue jean pants and a dark t-shirt. The man is seen in the video pulling his shirt up over his face. The man is then seen fleeing the store moments later and heading west towards the northbound entrance ramp to I-95.
Deputies searched the area with assistance from Volusia County Sheriff’s Office Air One but were unable to locate the suspect. Detectives were at the scene overnight with investigators from the State Attorney’s Homicide Investigative Unit and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Crime Scene Unit. The scene was cleared after the Medical Examiner and the FDLE processed it.
Detectives are working on obtaining video from the stores surveillance system, but a sheriff’s spokesman said the quality of the video was unlikely to yield identifying information. Video was to be released
once it was available.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at 386-313-4911 or call Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida, toll-free, at (888) 277-TIPS. Tipsters who provide information to Crime Stoppers will remain anonymous and can qualify for a reward of up to $1,000.
anrhony brown says
This was a hard working single mom, I would stop and talk with her, and now her kids will grow up with her. So sad, catch the scum and sentence him to death.
Magnolia says
Was it a robbery? Or was it personal?
Howard Duley says
I feel terrible for the young woman and her family. What a lousy way to end ones life. It is rather obvious that the environment that brought people to this area 10 to 20 years ago is no longer viable. The police are powerless to stop crimes like this unless a policeman is located in every place that has money. This and other shootings in Palm Coast have convinced me that my security depends on my ability to use a firearm. For the most part survielance cameras are are ineffective, not having enough, and placing a number of them external to the property.
glad fly says
I hope this scum bag is captured soon and taken off the street. That person was working and trying to make a living. The scum bag was robbing and murdering. My sympathy to this person and their family. Hopefully Florida retains the death penalty. For the pundits that say capital punishment is not a deterrent to crime I say it will deter this filth from killing again.
confidential says
What a terrible crime on a single mother while trying to make and honest living.
Hope is not another hate crime like few months ago, that white guy shot dead a black teen over his loud radio while in a station feeling up gas, in Jacksonville.
Pamela Zill says
Recently I went in there around 10pm to get a treat for someone and she and I started. Conversing about spiritual matters….based on the movie I just watched ‘THE MAN WHO FELL FROM EARTH’ She was so happy to have a meaningful conversation and her smile was radiant. As, I was leaving this nice elderly woman asked me to help her get inside the store, and I inquired as to whether. She needed assistance She said she would be just fine as she knows the young woman cashier and felt safe with her on duty and would sterday. Ohh
Deep South says
I thought it was required for at least 2 Store Clerks to be on duty at all times at convenient stores. My prayers and thoughts to the family.
Stephen says
I just helped my girlfriend sign up for concealed weapons class. She is NOT going to be another statistic of this progressive liberal government, and have to leave her children without a mother. To HELL with Obama, Bidden, Pelosi, Reed, Holder, and all the rest of these socialist, nazi, “give me your guns” idiots. Arm your love ones NOW !
Outsider says
It’s criminals like these why we should return to the days of putting them up against a wall and have five sharp shooters take their best shot. A mother working to support her family is killed for a few bucks by a scumbag too lazy to make an honest living. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Ms. Rosado.
Anonymous says
What kind of discreption is Light Skinned,does that mean White,Hispanic or Black.
Hum I wonder.
cindy says
This is so sad! She is a mother of six children. I hope our dedicated Flagler county Sheriff deputies find this sick individual as quickly as possible and give him the death penalty.
jp says
Light skinned? Who are we going to look for someone with that description? Was he black, hispanic, or white…..or has the media gotten so sensitive that they can’t say “Black Male”?…..
Taylor says
such a sad thing,,,, palm coast is getting horrible
Brighton Beach says
Today at 2:30 p.m., there were news trucks and an FDLE crime scene van.
What a horror the things that go on here! The poor lady!
So sorry for her friends and family…….
That Mobil station being a few hundred feet from I-95 was too much temptation
for the murderer who stole that lady’s life.
I hope they catch the bastard very quickly.
I feel for that lady, even the Bunnell PD wanted to make her life miserable.
friend of Zuheily says
This is so sad a TRAGEDY AND BIG LOST INDEED!!! THESE SIX KIDS ARE LEFT WITHOUT A MOTHER BECAUSE OF A SENSELESS MURDERER!!!!! THIS IXS SO SO SO SAD!!! YOU CANT EVEN GO TO WORK TO MAKE ENDS MEET WITHOUT KNOWING IF YOU WILL BE COMING BACK HOME…LORD I PRAY THAT YOU GIVE THE AUTHORITIES THE EYES TO CATCH THIS PERSON!!
Ruben says
It seems insane that any clerk would be left on thier own at such hours. Lets protect the public maybe the county needs to look into passing laws that insist security must be provided for employees after hours.
Sterling Westbrook says
This was one of my class mates moms we weren’t bestfriends but we were friends I feel for her famliy right now and can’t imagine the heartache but this is a sad situation and i only pray that her family finds closure that they deserve
Brighton Beach says
The perp fled on foot, yes? None of the accounts I’ve read mention a car.
ANONYMOUSAY says
@ jp says:
February 22, 2013 at 3:33 pm
Light skinned? Who are we going to look for someone with that description? Was he black, hispanic, or white…..or has the media gotten so sensitive that they can’t say “Black Male”?….. ”
UNFREAKINBELIEVABLE! Gotta be kidding??? Now ask yourself are there Hispanics with light skin? How about African Americans, Caucasians??? Come on dude? Maybe they didn’t know the persons race, that’s why the vague description. Not even going to get into race descriptions. Purple, Orange, Green or Blue trust me they will catch him if he doesn’t check himself out first.
Kate says
I work at the McDonald’s right next door. And every single person who works in that Mobil are very kind. Especially her. She is the sweetest and always had something meaningful to say. So sad that we won’t be seein her shining smile anymore. Rest in peace chick! You will be missed. I hope they find this bastard!! It jut doesn’t seem right at all.
Anonymous says
Who said they were robbed. Are we just assuming?
peter paul says
In my opinion, all of these convenience stores should be equipped with exterior/interior cameras and should also have a window opening to dispense stores items and exchange money via small window whereby minimizing the clerk’s safety. In addition, keeping the main entrance door secured until properly relieved or to allow uniformed law enforcement personnel or even other identifiable authorities inside the store.This extra security precaution should be considered mainly during the night shift somewhere between 2100 x 0600 hrs. They should also have a panic alarm called a “fob” which can be in the possession of the clerk at all times while on duty. Again, in my opinion they should be licensed to carry a business/personal protection firearm and the cost for the training at the very least be provided by the employer which in turn may be able to use it as a tax deduction.
Singlemomof2 says
Sadly enough the laws do not specify that clerks can’t work alone. However it is sad that a store owner would not have more of a conscience for their employees than to take better safety measures. The only laws protecting store clerks like this at one time applied only to hours after 11PM. At this point if they could not provide “necessary safety measures for employees” they had to close up shop at 11. A close friend of mine worked at this store when under other management and name years ago and there was an enclosed window for the clerk for their protection on overnight shifts.
Praying for the family and these innocent children left behind.
Flaglerresident says
How do you know what your searching for if you do not even release the type or model of the vehicle that was driven, let alone a reasonable description of the individual involved? How in the world do you plan on capturing someone in the first 48 hours if you do not even have a reasonable amount of information. If the person got onto the interstate, how about releasing a description of the vehicle? Please don’t botch this investigation.
Jack says
It should be a law that the store owner has full survalance of the inside and outside of there property. They make cameras now that are so clear. This poor hard working mother making probably minimum wage struggling to pay for everything and some piece of s**t scum bag and more choice words I would use. Oh and once again a criminal has a gun. They will get one no matter what! That’s why we need all the good people to have one. Who knows maybe if she had one she might have been able to protect herself. But the good lord needs angels.
ANONYMOUSAY says
“@ jack says – But the good lord needs angels.”
If the good Lord needed more angels he would just make another one like he did in the first place wouldn’t he? YOU wouldn’t tragically steal away someones family member to add to your own would you? So why would he?
confidential says
I suspect that the perpetrator had a car in the shoulder entrance to or in I-95 or in the vicinity waiting for him for a speedy escape.
Light skinned is a description based in the color of probably his arms or other part of the body that was exposed and picked up by the low quality resolution of the surveillance cameras, as he covered up his face with his shirt. Light skinned could be and Asian, Hispanic, Black, White, Middle Easter, American or other natives or a mixed race, only his face fixtures could help identifying the killer, besides finger prints if he touched anything . If no money was taken as reported, then there was another motive for the killing.
Anonymous says
sounds more like a personal attack than a robbery….
maria says
personal
Anita says
Who did you blame when people were shooting people and everyone was busily accumulating personal arsenals during the republican-conservative administration of George Bush, Dick Cheney et. al, Stephen?
Iva Hadit says
Yes, it it sad, but guess what — this stuff goes on everywhere.
Anonymous says
Typically convience stores only have one individual working, especially in the slower times.(Typically evenings ) I have always felt that practice save’s the store over head. Which is understandable in a perfect world. Unfortunately we do not live in a perfect world and if you care for life over profit it’s just common sense to have two clerks on duty for safety. God Bless her children whom no amount of money can replace her in life. They are forever changed with one aspect
being profit over safety.
glad fly says
you can’t say “light skinned black” person. you can be sued. our media,like our system is broken and a person was murdered. Lord help us.
RNYPD says
I think there was an incident at the same store a few weeks prior where a few men beat up TWO clerks on duty one of which one may have been the owner during broad day light. If it was known that there was such frequent violence at this place then why would the owner allow a single female to work the night shift? The family should get a good lawyer! I know, that is such a contradiction in terms, a GOOD lawyer.
Tony says
(BPD case# 09-8764 poor woman,can’t say for sure if she was a victim of a scam,but anybody that young with six kids,surely doesn’t have a lot of money, if their working for Taco Bell.So what ever amount she was charged surely hurt her and her family.Sadly none of it matters anymore,poor kids.
Sydney says
You know.. a lot of posters seem to want to label ‘light skinned’ as one thing or another. I’m pale – I’m also white. So this poor girl was better off armed?? With what? An AK-47? Shoot anyone suspicious? That would be about 96% or more of Palm Compton in my mind!! Next time you walk into a gas station, be sure to make sure you do not look suspicious.. maybe you’re in for a belly full of lead?? I guess that’s just what happens down here in “DONT TREAD ON ME” country. UGHH.
Mel Bronson says
Police state NOTHING was taken so this was NOT a robbery. Therefore, it gives all indications of being a straight out deliberate murder. So now it appears cold blooded murderers are operating in Palm Coast. This is very frightening and a terrible development.
Rob says
What A terrible lost..Our Hearts and Prays go out to the Family,Friends,and Coworkers..What saddens me is..The next day,we went to kangaroo..We looked across the street..And the place was open..Is making money that important..Then mouring the lost of A life? The investigation isn’t even over …And you open the place to contaminate the crime scene..It wouldn’t be shut,,Unless they made him shut it..Have some respect for the Family..The owner should take time and morn the lost of his employee..Money isn’t that important then A life..The one thing you can’t put a price on,,Is Life…What A world we live in today..I hope that catch him..What gives someone the right to take another persons life?
Rob
Mel Bronson says
Another clear reason to be armed with a large capacity magazine to protect yourself.
You think the police can protect you? They are paid to protect themselves, not you.
Speed of police response: 50 Mile per hour
Speed of .357 Magnum response: 1350 Feet per SECOND
You do the math and see how the anti gun liberals imperil you for the sake of their control over you.
Jessica says
First of all this article doesn’t mention anything about a vehicle so what makes you think LEO is hiding something? Second of all, it doesn’t say anything about money being taken so obviously it wasn’t a robbery. It also states that the video surveillance was not very good and his face was covered. That’s why you’re getting a vague description. How about we all stop jumping to conclusions and assuming everyone is out to “botch an investigation” Its ridiculous the amount of people that are sitting at home bashing LEO instead of getting out there and making a difference. If you can do so much better than get off welfare, go to school, and assist in bettering your community instead of bashing the ones that are putting their lives on the line to protect so many unappreciative citizens. Wake up people!
K.D says
This story is terrible ! But whats even worse i getting that phone call from the mothers daughter saying her mother just died . No one will ever understand the pain he children have to go through each amd every day without their mother ! All we can do is pray for them and help them & give them the strength to move on as hard and horrible as the situation may be ! I love zu’heily and all her family . May she rest in paradise & know every family member and friend love her amd she will be greatly missed ! <3
Magnolia says
So it was a hit. That is two now.
Devrie says
I hope this story doesn’t fade away. I really want some closure. I’d like to know more about this woman, as it seems many people have such nice things to say about Zuheily.
As for the people talking about firearms, I personally believe that stronger restrictions will do little to curb gun violence and that fear of losing those rights has compelled many people to sort of hoard weapons and ammunition. As a liberal myself, I think the libs should lay off the laws for now.
Jill says
Hey Mel!
If you had an Uzi what good would it have done? Under those circumstance even if you were the best shooter in the world you would have never had the chance to use it.
Jay WIEDER says
I ‘ve known zuheily for about two years and was respectful to all her customers , she was a hard worker . All she wanted to do is to work and go to school to make a better life for her family . I would stop in to see how she was doing when I would was in the area , she would talk about her family , work and her goin to school . Very sad , prayers go out to her family .
anonnymous says
The Crime rate here in Palm Coast is getting very bad, I’m thinking moving out of here, this is not the place that i choose 7 years ago.
pissedoff man inPC says
I knew Zuheily for years. She has always been nothing but a sweetheart and good person. It could’nt have been personal. And it was’nt a robbery. I can only think this cowardly attact was a type of gang initiation. Palm Coast has been getting alot of people moving here from all over the states. Alot of so called “thugs” that feel they have something to prove. Nothing but a bunch of coward punks
thinkforyourself says
This was an out right hit! Look at the video tape. He walked right in, right up to her – shot her and ran out! Never even attempted to steal a single thing. This was clearly a deliberate assassination – way more to this story. Scary stuff. Gang style hit for sure!
confidential says
I believe from the start to be a hate crime. Is the second in two days and between 10 and 11 PM, as a man driving with his son in Volusia county was shot from a black truck six times for no other reason than wearing a Moslem head piece.
http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20130225/NEWS/302259984/1040?p=2&tc=pg
This innocent woman was an American National by birth as a PR Hispanic and her killer was obviously white with plenty of tattoo’s on his arms…wondering if a black truck maybe was waiting for him in I-95 . The injured man in Volusia may have a description of his shooter and maybe matches this monster too. There is solar traffic camera in I-95 I believe, between Rte 100 and the Palm Coast exit…Any black pick up going north about that time..? for the FLE to review or coming out about that time as well in the Palm Coast Parkway exit surveillance cameras? Could be also a racist group briefly visting the area given the local events held in Volusia county.
Anyone with foreign accent or appearance may want to be cautious and alert while working out there, until the perpetrators caught!.
Charles Gardner says
It appears that a few bucks had nothing to do with this.
Charles Gardner says
Must be politically correct.
Maryjoe says
How very sad. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends. All the very best to the law enforcement people in catching this guy. Someone out there knows who it was and why…step up.
Eric says
That video tells a scary story. For anyone out there that is a shooter you will see the fine details in what happened. He walked in with plain clothes (to prevent from drawing attention before and after), he only touched the handle to the door (that the next patron will touch as well) he has the shirt covering his face when in view of the cameras, he carefully scans the entire area very quickly (even the area you can’t see from outside the store that will be behind him when he turns to the clerk) first then squares his shoulders to the target and punches out with the firearm with both hands (weaver stance) immediately fires once (with both feet planted) then closes the gap with speed and efficiency never taking his eyes off the target keeping knees bent and preventing himself from bouncing. It appears he squeezes a second round off about half way to the counter with both feet on the ground. He continues to swiftly and completely close the gap firing the final round just feet away from the target. He only pauses to ensure his work is done then immediately turns and flee’s the scene before anyone sees him.If there were no MISSES and all hits to the upper torso or head then guess what? That is wet work! I don’t see this one getting solved at all. Just the sad truth. See it for yourself that guy was very efficient, not from around here. Strongest leads will come from the possible motives, that is alot of detailed searching.
ANONYMOUSAY says
@ glad fly says:
February 24, 2013 at 1:24 am
you can’t say “light skinned black” person. you can be sued. our media,like our system is broken and a person was murdered. Lord help us.
Don’t get it? What’s your point? Anybody with skin darker than your is black??? The victim was Hispanic and I believe the owner of the gas station is Middle Eastern. Once again there are various shades of skin color in ALL races. Based of off just a straight color description you have shown that yourself and people like you would pick what you deem as a black suspect and have the cops running in circles when in fact from that video it’s impossible to tell what race he is. But than again in the eyes of Bigots all blacks look alike.
Profiler says
Just another theory to toss out there…..could this have been a gang initiation?
Profiler says
I just heard they are asking for donations to help pay for the funeral and for the children at any Wells Fargo bank. I am absolutely going to make a donation….those poor little children.
christina b says
It means “light skinned”. Race has nothing to do with it.
christina b says
IMO, this is either gang-related or it was another uneducated guy who doesn’t understand the word NO. My God, the brutality on the tape released by LEO–guy just walks in, takes aim and fires. Unbelievable. With all the technology we have, WHY AREN’T THESE MEGA-CORPORATIONS SPRINGING A LITTLE MORE MONEY TO PROTECT PEOPLE WITH DECENT SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS?
That’s right, people are replaceable. Profits are not. This kind of thing is going to continue no matter how many guns you have, or no matter how many cops there are, until corporations are no longer considered to be people. It has to start at the top, and it won’t, not as long as our governments–federal, state and local–are dictated to by the almighty dollar first.
Nancy N. says
Boy, people are sure quick to run their mouths when they don’t know what they are talking about. How many of you have actually seen the pieces of the surveillance video that were released to local media? Because if you had, you’d know that 1) the description of the shooter as being light-skinned is vague because that’s all that you can really tell on the video. All you can see is his arms and it isn’t clear from them what his race is. He could be white, hispanic, a light-skinned black, or several other races. And two, those of you yelling that she’d have been fine if she’d have just had a gun would know that it wouldn’t have mattered if you’d seen the video excerpts. This guy had his gun out in his hand already AS HE WALKED IN THE DOOR. He seems to have had clear intent to kill this poor woman and immediately pointed it at her and (from the smoke visible in the video stills) began firing. She had no chance to go for a weapon even if she’d had one.
Pro-gun advocates like to wave them around rhetorically like they are some kind of magic talisman that prevents all bad things. But the bottom line is that in most situations, you are caught off guard. The bad person has the upper hand because he knew he was going to do something and you didn’t. He always has the opportunity to draw first. By the time you know you need your weapon, there’s already one pointed at you.
jp says
smart ass opened and closed the door with his hand on the video….should be easy to catch….
jp says
video shows its a white or white hispanic guy
confidential says
I would say wether Gang, or Klan style…
Anonymous says
i wonder how much of a big life insurance plan was taken out on her..before this hit?
Anonymous says
jp, have you seen the picture or the video? Any one who has seen this can only tell that he or she has light color skin. Why do people have to make everything so race related. Come on people it is about finding who killed her!
Anonymous says
@ Mel Bronson: cold blooded murderers operating in palm coast are nothing new.
Anonymous says
Employers are not allowed to discriminate against females in the workplace. If she chose to work the night shift alone, she has (had) as much right to do so as a 275 lb male. In this situation, it does not appear it would have made any difference if 2 employees had been on duty except for possibly 2 would have been killed instead of the apparent target. I’m thinking that overused statement “this ain’t CSI” is outdated, and it’s about time Flagler County gets CSI’s. Might start seeing less suicides or murder/suicides.
Anonymous says
@ Eric: I think you have excellent observations. Except why do you think he’s not from around here? We have all kinds here, probably some with hidden abilities.
stop projecting says
I get what you are saying…but having seen the video, She had no time at all to pull a gun out and defend herself.
CHECK PLEASE says
So sad. Did she have a husband or boyfriend? I’m sure the police are looking into that, if it is not a personal hit then it would have to be some type of gang. He knew when he went in there that she was alone.
wondering says
On the beginning of the first video, right when he is walking to the door, it shows headlights going east on 100. At the end of that first video, it looks like it is doing a u turn. I wonder if the people in that vehicle seen anything, or if they dropped him off and was turning around to go back and wait on him. I wish we could seen more of that video, and I wish there was a way we could zoom in on him.
Gerald Jacobs says
The shooter is a true SCUMBAG,
Dave says
Has the world grown so cold that anyone would want to watch a video of another person losing their life? , Just reading the things that so many people have posted on here tells me there is no real reason to watch it and the only reason I would watch it would be if LEO was asking people to watch it to help solve this case, just think of the way the her family must be feeling with this kind of stuff posted , Please people think about the thing’s you are posting and how they can affect others before doing so.
Anonymous says
@ Profiler: I don’t think gang members are that well disciplined/trained. This perp had a look and stance of formal, rigid, military-type training. Even the heinous crime he comitted had the look of a “training exercise” – as if this woman were a prop in a field exercise and the objective was to get in, hit, and get back as soon as possible. His moves were too self controlled, too deliberate, too practiced. This was not his first rodeo. Therefore, I do not think it a gang initation. Something more with the mafia, maybe, or something even more formally organized, idk.
oldman says
good luck this is flagler co. they put there finger prints all over every thing before they dust if they know how
Anonymous says
@ Dave: While I grasp what you are saying, I don’t think anyone “wants” to watch another person lose their life. Not the point. The other end of the spectrum is burying our heads in the sand which will not help catch this cold blooded killer. The more people who watch this video the greater the chance that someone will pick up some minute detail that might solve this crime. That I think, would be the reason for LEOs releasing the video. If it were me or one of my loved ones, absolutely I would want the video released and watched over and over and over, scrutinized by as many eyes as possible.
Anonymous says
Body language way too military for a gang, imo. Also, no colors/flags. Finally, gangs typically do not target unarmed women, especially non-gang related women old enough to be their mothers, especially a mother known to have small children. Gang members actually have respect for mothers. Even an “initiation” – that would be downright disrespectful to shoot and kill an unarmed, mother of 6 children who was no threat to them. However by all appearances, she was a threat to someone, and they eliminated it. If her testimony was about to send someone to prison for a long time, then the mystery should be relatively easy to solve.
anonymous says
It’s very sad..This had to happen..To A women ,who touched so many hearts..And brought smiles to so many people..Now it’s her Family,,Friends,,Coworkers,and Everyone she touched their hearts..Who feel the pain..Our Prays go out to Everyone..Weither it was A racist crime or not..No one has the right to take another person life.We’re all Brothers and Sisters under God eyes..We all need to get along..Hope they catch him..
Anonymous says
Is there a camera traffic light at the 95 exit? I’m pretty sure there is!