WASHINGTON - A liquor store owner was fatally shot in Northwest Washington during an armed robbery Saturday night.

The robbery happened at the La Casa De Morata Liquor store in the 5400 block of Georgia Avenue.

Officials say that two suspects, at least one of whom was armed with a handgun, robbed the store at gunpoint. After obtaining an undetermined amount of money, one of the suspects then shot the female owner before the culprits fled from the store.

Police said the victim suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the face and neck inside the store. She was transported to the Washington Hospital Center's MedSTAR Unit where she was pronounced dead. The victim was identified as 51-year-old Rufina Hernandez of Hyattsville, Md.

The armed suspect was described as a medium-skinned black male from about 30 to 40 years old and wearing a flannel shirt.

The second suspect was a dark-skinned Hispanic male, about 6 feet tall, thin, and wearing a black hooded sweatshirt.

Metro Police offer a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of someone wanted for homicide in the
District. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call police at 202-727-9099 or 1-888-919-2746.

There will be a candlelight vigil at 7 p.m. Sunday outside the store.

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