WASHINGTON - Emotional neighbors are leaving items outside of a District liquor store in honor of the owner who was shot and killed after she handed over cash to thieves. People gathered near the store Monday on the 5400 block of Georgia Avenue to remember Rufina Hernandez.

All day long the liquor store "La Casa de Morata" was the focus of a community's outrage and grief.

"She didn't deserve this. She was too nice with everyone," said customer Will Pagan on Monday. "It just doesn't make sense."

"She was a very sweet woman," shared Felicia Heiskell, a store customer. "Everybody called her 'Mom.'"

Fifty-one-year-old Rufina Hernandez was in the store Saturday night when police say two men robbed her and even after she'd given them the money, shot and killed her. Monday, police distributed more fliers along Georgia Avenue asking the public for help.

Shopowners have posted the flyers and signs in Spanish and English.

"It's scary. It could have happened to anybody," said shop owner Assista Traore.

One sign read "Mama, your neighbors and customers will miss you."

"We need more people like that in the world," said one man.

Metropolitan Police are offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. 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.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call police at 202-727-9099 or 1-888-919-2746.

 Email To Friend