Parma woman killed during robbery

Law enforcement officers look for clues outside of D and L One Stop in Parma Monday morning. According to co-workers at the scene, one employee, Brenda Smith, was shot and killed during an early morning robbery. A second employee was uninjured. Jill Bock, Standard-Democrat

PARMA - A store clerk was shot to death during an apparent armed robbery.

According to the New Madrid County Sheriff Terry Stevens, Brenda Smith, 59, of rural Parma resident was shot and killed at approximately 5:30 a.m. Monday as she and another employee were opening the D and L One Stop for business.

Stevens reported as the women were unlocking the door, a man dressed in black forced his way in behind them. "He demanded money at gun point and shot one of the women in the head with a fatal shot," he said.

The assailant took a few items from the store, fleeing on foot.

The victim was taken by ambulance to a hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. Stevens said the second employee was not harmed although "pretty shook up."

Officers from the New Madrid County Sheriff's Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Parma Police Department along with members of the Major Case Squad began their investigation Monday morning.

The assailant is described as a black male, approximately 5-foot, 7-inches to 5-foot, 9-inches tall with a medium build. He said the man is considered armed and dangerous.

Persons with information relating to the crime are asked to contact the New Madrid County Sheriff's office at 573-748-2516 or contact their local police department.