On the evening of January 7, 2020, 31-year-old Xiaoding Li was working behind the counter of his family’s corner grocery, JD Hoyu Grocery at Ninth and Porter Streets in South Philadelphia, when two men in ski masks entered. One was armed with a 9mm pistol; a single shot struck Li in the chest. A customer found him unresponsive and bleeding behind the counter and he was taken to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 6:26 p.m. He was the father of two, and neighbors set up a makeshift memorial of candles, teddy bears, and flowers outside the closed store.

Investigators initially questioned whether the incident was a robbery because the cash register appeared undisturbed, and surveillance footage showed masked suspects dressed in black who were hard to identify. The investigation later determined the fatal shooting occurred during a robbery. An arrest was made: 18-year-old Tyseem Murray of Southwest Philadelphia was charged with murder, criminal conspiracy, robbery, and related offenses in connection with Li’s death; authorities did not immediately say whether he was believed to be the shooter.

If anyone knew Xiaoding Li, saw the suspects, or has information about that January evening, please come forward.