Deadly robbery in Fredericksburg; 'armed and dangerous' suspect arrested

FREDERICKSBURG, Texas - Police have arrested an ‘armed and dangerous’ suspect who they say killed a bystander during a robbery in Fredericksburg.

21-year-old Awes Singko Rapet was taken into custody at a local motel at 11:46 p.m. Wednesday after tips from the community led police to the suspect.

On Tuesday, January 2 at around 11:47 p.m., Fredericksburg police said a man in a skull mask, later identified as Rapet, shot 48-year-old Arthur Cortez during a robbery at the Kwikcheck Convenience Store on South State Highway 16.

Officers performed first aid, but Cortez died at the scene.

Police say Rapet was caught on surveillance video when he walked into the store before he put on his mask in the back of the store.

They say he then walked back to the front, shot Cortez, and demanded money from the clerk, who retrieved it from the cash drawer.

Then Rapet took off on foot.

The clerk was unharmed.

"We know that the victim was at the store, and we know that he was just there. He is not an employee of the store. He was talking with the clerk at the time that the suspect entered the store. But at this time, we don't have any leads as far as the relationship between the victim and the suspect, if there's any relationship at all," said Lt. Derek Seelig with the Fredericksburg Police Department.

Police say the man was caught on surveillance video before he put on his mask and killed a man as he robbed the store. (Fredericksburg Police Department)

"The victim is a long-term resident of Fredericksburg," said Seelig.

FOX 7 has learned the victim did have a lengthy criminal history, which police say is part of their investigation, but so far there is no indication he was anything other than a customer.

"I would like to express our department's heartfelt condolences for the victim and his family," said Seelig. "We share in the community's outrage over what's happened. And we're going to see that this suspect is identified and brought to justice."

Fredericksburg police say Rapet was taken into custody without incident and charged with capital murder. Evidence used in the commission of the crime was also recovered by FPD. Rapet is currently being held at the Gillespie County Jail.

"The Fredericksburg Police Department would like to thank the community for their assistance in identifying Rapet and determining his whereabouts. His quick apprehension would not have been possible without all the phone calls, emails, and Crimestoppers Tips received by law enforcement from our community."