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Alpharetta woman dies in Roswell store robbery


January 27, 2008
ROSWELL -- An Alpharetta woman died after being shot Saturday night in an armed robbery at the Azteca grocery store on Alpharetta Highway (Ga. 9).

During the robbery, the owner of the business, Lidia Alvarado, 39 was shot in the chest. She died at North Fulton Regional Hospital.

Lt. James McGee, a spokesman for the Roswell Police Department, said the fact Alvarado was shot while providing no resistance and before any money was taken gives police pause. In addition, reports indicate at least one of the men called her by name before the shooting.

Camera 1 footage
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Camera 3 footage
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"Why shoot her first? Was this a hit? This was a very brutal crime," McGee said. "She had her hands up and they got her right as they entered the store."

Alvarado was "popular in the Latino community" and had no known enemies, McGee said.

"Everybody seemed to know her," he said.

The amount of money taken is not yet known, McGee said. He did say that a "substantial amount" appeared to be taken.

Alvarado was the only person seriously injured in the crime. Two other employees and a customer were "roughed up" and bound.

The suspects took the shopper's wallet and cell phone.

According to surveillance video, the three men entered the store at 8:46 p.m. from the side of the building.

Roswell police responded to the call about six minutes later, one minute after receiving the call of armed robbery.

An employee had to let the first officer into the store.

Witnesses said two black males and one Hispanic male -- only one of whom was wearing a mask -- entered the store, holding the three female employees at gunpoint. The other two men wore large framed sunglasses to hide their faces. At least one of the men had a Colombian or Venezuelan accent, according to witnesses. All were armed.

Witnesses reported all three suspects left the scene by running behind the store. Attempts by authorities to locate a vehicle description for the suspects has yet been unsuccessful.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has been called to process the scene, and McGee said they are looking to match fingerprints or any physical evidence to earlier incidents.

Roswell police have also been reaching out to media outlets and community leaders in the Hispanic community of Roswell hoping someone might have leads in the case.

"Because of the culture barrier, they might go to them before they would go to us," he said.

Azteca grocery has been robbed twice before, according to Roswell police, once in 2003 and once in 2004. Both cases were cleared.

- www.northfulton.com

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These are our reader's opinions and thoughts.The opinions on this site are posted by our readers, and are not edited by Appen Inc.
welcome to 400
February 08, 2008 | 08:07 AM

this been happenin up from roswell rd in 285 city limits all the way to alpharetta highway it aint the suburbs no more. come walk down Dunwoody place off exit 6 after 12 see if u dont get robbed. go to northwood in 285 i bet they ask you "wat you bang" then even in roswells theres burglarys and kickdoors everyday. alpharetta and johnscreek and milton better move to forsyth becuase north ffulton is 400 block....

Exit 6 on Dec
Why haven't we heard anything from Mayor Wood or any of the coun
February 01, 2008 | 02:08 PM

This area is becoming a high crime area in the heart of historic Roswell. Why no comments from the mayor or the police chief about all of this. What do they intend to do about it? One would wonder if they would be so silent if this occurred east of 400

Valley Drive watch
Remembering Lidia
January 30, 2008 | 04:27 PM

I am unable to be with my family for the funeral today, and am just looking for whatever info I can find today to try and understand this. I am searching for recent photos since I haven't seen her in awhile, and am smiling at memories of my "way cool" aunt that used to ride me on her bicycle, dance with us, play with us and really engage with us kids, even though she was a few years older. The mention of her being a sweet person that reached out to those less fortunate - that's the tip of the ice burg. She really did do that, and much more. I don't recall her ever being moody - just smiles. She also never forgot those relatives that are far away, as I was surprised to get a call from her last Christmas. I will always cherish the times she cared enough to hang out with just me, including taking me to Six Flags in Georgia. As Lidia is buried today, people will be remembering all that is good about her life, and the lives of those they love dearly. God's love will always trump tragedy, and with time, hopefully heal sadness

Chicago Neice
shooting
January 30, 2008 | 08:14 AM

The frames of video with the victem and the shooter shooting were not uploaded but are on the video

staff
That's not video of the shooting
January 29, 2008 | 04:30 PM

Watch it again. No one is getting shot...it just shows the robbers entering and pulling a gun then spraypainting the cameras.

nothing vile
Thoughts and Prayers
January 29, 2008 | 02:42 PM

I hope that some of you concerned with the redevelopment plan and whatever else also have the conscience to grieve for this woman's family. Not everything in this world is about money. My heart goes out to her family, specially her young children who will now have to live without their mother.

Priscilla, neighbor
Video footage of shooting is on the site
January 28, 2008 | 06:04 PM

...

very very sad and vile
The Roswell city council members need to step up
January 28, 2008 | 10:43 AM

to the plate and clean up Roswell.

concerned homeowner
What is the Mayor going to do about it???
January 28, 2008 | 08:44 AM

Live too close for comfort. Pay high City of Roswell Taxes! Where is the re-development plan???

Angry
That area of Roswell always has problems
January 27, 2008 | 09:36 PM

and it is close to the square. Mayor Wood needs to improve that area. Bad for businesses in that part.

Too close to the square


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