Gurminder Gary Singh Parmar, 56, was shot and killed during a robbery at Tokay Liquors on E. Lockeford Street in Lodi, California, on November 13, 2020. Lodi police officers found Parmar with a gunshot wound to his chest; despite life-saving efforts by officers and emergency medical personnel, he was pronounced dead at the scene. Parmar, known as Gary, was remembered by the community as kind and compassionate and the store owner’s death prompted an outpouring of grief and financial support for his family.

Investigators arrested four suspects in connection with the killing. Three men from Stockton — Sheridan Thomas, 20; Maleek Carter-Rea, 19; and Larry Thornton, 19 — were charged with murder and robbery. Thomas faced an additional charge as a prohibited person in possession of a firearm and Carter-Rea was charged with violating parole; two of the suspects were also charged with conspiracy.

Parmar had previously been involved in a 2012 shooting at the same store; he shot an unarmed man suspected of shoplifting, and charges in that case were later dismissed. The investigation into Parmar’s murder was being treated as active, and authorities sought information from the public. If anyone has information about the robbery or the events that night, please come forward to assist the investigation.