Papa John's employee dies after being shot during robbery - WSMV Channel 4

Police say a 22-year-old employee died after being shot during a robbery at Papa John's in Columbia. 

The robbery happened at 1902 Shady Brook St. across from the Columbia Mall just before 10 p.m. Monday. 

Police say the employee, Gordon Schaffer, was the only person inside the store when two masked men came inside, forced him to open the cash register and took money from the drawer. 

According to a release from the police department, although Schaffer was "compliant and offered no resistance," the man with the gun shot at him multiple times, hitting him once in the chest. 

"Mr. Gordon did everything he was supposed to do, he complied to everything, he gave them the money they asked for. The reason we're saying senseless is because it didn't have to happen," said Sgt. Michael Kash with Columbia PD. "He was compliant and they still shot him." 

A co-worker who was on the phone with Schaffer heard what happened and called police. 

When officers responded, they found Schaffer on the ground near the register. He was still conscious and told them that two black men robbed him. 

Schaffer was taken by medical helicopter to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he died Tuesday morning. 

The whole incident was captured on surveillance video. 

Police said the gunman is 5'8" tall with a heavyset build and was wearing a dark-colored hoodie, pants, shoes and light-colored gloves. 

The second robber has a slim build and is approximately 5'9" tall. He was wearing dark-colored clothing and shoes and light-colored gloves and was carrying a bag. 

According to the Columbia Police Department, this robbery is similar to two others that happened at Dollar General stores. One happened at 230 East James M. Campbell Blvd. on Oct. 13, and the other happened at 704 Bear Creek Pike on Oct. 17. Both crimes happened around 8 p.m. No one was injured in either incident.

Police said witnesses at all of the robberies reported seeing a black four-door car, possibly a Nissan Altima or Chevrolet Impala, in the area shortly before or after the crimes. One witness also spotted a red SUV near the Papa John's right before and after the robbery at Papa John's.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the Columbia Police Department Detective's Division at 931-380-2721, the S.A.F.E. Tip Line at 931-380-2930 or Crime Stoppers at 931-381-4900.

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