An 80-year-old liquor store owner who went viral over the summer shooting of a gunman has died, his family and colleagues said on Tuesday.
Craig Cope, the owner of Norco Market & Liquor in the small town, California, died Tuesday morning, his colleague Marnie Tapia confirmed.
Cope rose to fame after surveillance footage surfaced of him thwarting an armed robbery with a shotgun in July – prompting many to eulogize the senior as a hero.
In the incident, one of four armed intruders who attempted to storm the store in Norco, a rural town 50 miles east of Los Angeles, was shot dead almost immediately when the longtime owner quickly realized the attempt.
The footage showed Rasheed Belvin, 23, fleeing in desperation after being shot in the arm. He was eventually arrested along with his cronies.
Unfortunately, the encounter aggravated Cope’s already declining health, which led to him suffering a heart attack and a stroke in October. He had owned and operated his shop for 46 years.
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Craig Cope, the 80-year-old owner of Norco Market & Liquor in California, died Tuesday morning of a stroke, colleague Marnie Tapia confirmed on social media on Tuesday
Cope rose to fame after surveillance footage surfaced of him thwarting an armed robbery with a shotgun in July – prompting many to eulogize the senior as a hero
On Tuesday morning, store employees took to Facebook to announce Cope’s death.
“We lost our Craig this morning,” the post began, alluding to health issues Cope had been dealing with since the incident.
“I’m sorry I have no words right now, but I promised not to leave you in the dark. There will be a memorial here in the store so I’ll be sure to let you know when I set a date.”
Marnie Tapia, a longtime employee at the corner shop, also took to social media to mourn the loss of her old boss and reshared the post before speaking to reporters outside.
Standing in front of a growing memorial dedicated to the late business owner, Tapia remembered Cope as “an amazing man” who was “everyone’s friend”.
“He wasn’t just my boss,” Tapia said, “he was my friend, my confidante, my mentor — he was so many things.”
Cope, 80, rose to fame for defending his store with a shotgun when a suspected gunman broke into Norco Market & Liquor. Cope suffered a mild heart attack from the shock of the ordeal
23-year-old suspect Rasheed Belvin, armed with an AR-15, yelled after being shot in the shoulder, “He shot my arm off! He shot my arm off!’ He was found in a hospital and arrested
Getting emotional, she tearfully added: “It’s a sad day for sure.”
Dozens of residents flocked to the store to pay their respects to the longtime Norco keeper – who is now remembered as a beloved father, grandfather, “great boss” – and most importantly, a hero.
Security camera footage captured the dramatic encounter as he took on the burglars.
“He shot my arm off! He shot my arm off!’ Belvin can be heard screaming as he frantically runs back to a black BMW SUV that MPs later said was reported stolen.
Standing in front of a growing memorial dedicated to the business owner, Tapia considered Cope a mentor and remembered him as “an amazing man” who was “everyone’s friend”.
Cope will be remembered as a beloved father, grandfather, “great boss” and most importantly, a hero
The suspects were located a short time later at a local hospital, where Belvin suffered a gunshot wound, according to a release from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. He was in critical but stable condition before his arrest.
The three other suspects were taken into police custody and committed to the Robert Presley Detention Center on robbery and conspiracy charges. They were being held on $500,000 bail after the July 31 incident.
has contacted the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office for updates on their case.
Deputies identified the suspects as 22-year-old Justin Johnson of Inglewood, 27-year-old Jamar Williams of Los Angeles and 24-year-old Dazu Broadus of Las Vegas.
Cope will be remembered as a beloved father, grandfather, “great boss” and most importantly, a hero
MPs responded to reports of the armed robbery around 2.47am.
Surveillance video showed the suspects approaching the store armed with long guns and wearing face coverings and hoods.
As soon as Belvin walked in with his gun aimed, Cope, who said he saw the would-be robbers approaching on the store’s recently installed security cameras, fired a single shot from a shotgun, causing the suspect to flee the store.
The driver slammed on the accelerator, almost leaving one of the accomplices behind – he had to stop so the last hooded attacker could jump into the vehicle.
Back at the store, Cope suffered a heart attack from the shock of the incident.
He was on the mend before sadly suffering a stroke weeks later in October.
The prime suspect, Rasheed Belvin, left, was hospitalized in critical condition. He andDaph Broadus, right, were in the custody of the Riverside County Sheriff
Deputies identified the other suspects as 22-year-old Justin Johnson of Inglewood and 27-year-old Jamar Williams of LA
The suspect rushed out of the store, away from the senior and towards his stunned accomplices, all of whom were quickly captured
When stepping on the gas pedal, the driver almost leaves one of the accomplices behind. The suspects are in custody after police found Belvin in hospital and identified him from his gunshot wound