Mount Dora store owner killed, co-owner injured during armed robbery

MOUNT DORA, Fla. – A woman was shot and killed and a man was critically wounded Monday night during an apparent random robbery at their Mount Dora convenience store, according to police.

Mount Dora Interim Police Chief Brett Meade police said at a news conference Tuesday morning that the victims, who own T&N Market on North Grandview Street, were closing for the night when they were both shot multiple times.

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Meade said officers found the man, identified as Khiem Ba Trinh, 56, who goes by Ken, and woman, identified as Minh Nguyen (Tina), 47, inside the store suffering from gunshot wounds.

Nguyen was pronounced dead at the scene and Trinh was airlifted to Central Florida Regional Hospital in Sanford, where he remains in critical condition, according to Meade.

Meade said video from outside the store shows a gunman wearing dark clothing getting into a confrontation with Trinh and forcing him back into the store, where the robbery and shooting occurred. No one else was in the store at the time of the shooting, Meade said.

“A subject dressed in black, hoodie up, approached Tony as he is putting items in his car and getting ready to close the store so that subject forced him - Tony - back into the store in which the robbing and shootings occurred,” Meade said.

The armed robber is then seen on video leaving the store while carrying a white bag, although Meade said it’s not yet known what was stolen from the store.

The assailant was described as a man with a thin build.

“This individual will be caught,” said Meade. “Please help us pass this information on so we can bring this individual to justice.”

Meade said he’s hopeful that video from inside the store will shed even more clues about the shooting.

“This strikes at the heart of our community this is a dagger in all of our hearts,” Meade said.

Lorraine Bowman bought flowers and placed them in front of the store Tuesday morning.

“This is something that’s being taken by the community. This is not real. This is so unreal to see this happen,” she said.

Meade said a couple of people entered the store after the shooting and he believes one of them called 911 to report the incident. He said investigators are working to identify the caller.

T&N Market was called a staple of the northeast community, and authorities referred to the store owners as pillars of Mount Dora.

Customers said they are devastated.

“Everybody is hurt, It’s really sad,” customer Lorraine Wright said.

“This is a hole that will probably never be replaced,” WIllie Woods added.

They said the store owners gave so much to the community.

“When someone dies in the community, they come to the funeral, they donate,” Woods said of the victims.

“It’s nothing you wanted out that store they wouldn’t give you. If you didn’t have any money, they still gave it to you,” Wright said.

Customers said the owners were married and had children, though their relationship has not been confirmed by family members or police.

A candlelight vigil will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday outside the store.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Mount Dora police or Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS.

Anyone who would like to donate to the victims’ family can do so via one of two options.

Community members who have organized the fund said, “Please help if you can. No amount is too small. The children of Ken and Tina need our support. They have lost both of their parents.”

The group said 100% of every dollar donated will help the family and no fees will be taken out.

Option 1

Go to the Mount Dora Community Trust site under the “Give” page, click “My Donation Is For *” in the dropdown menu and select “T and N Memorial Fund.”

Option 2

Go to MDCT or mail to:

821 N. Donnelly St.

Mount Dora, FL 32757

Each donation needs to be earmarked for the T and N Memorial Fund. Checks made to Mount Dora Community Trust should include the memo: T and N Memorial Fund.

All donations will be considered a tax free charitable donation.