Tulsa Convenience Store Clerk Shot, Killed Point Blank

Tulsa Police are looking for two men who shot and killed a convenience store clerk late Thursday night.

It happened at the Shell convenience store near 36th and Harvard just before 11 p.m.

Police say two customers found 55-year-old Peggy Lee Gaytan dead behind the store's counter.

Police believe someone saw something that can help; a lot of cars were driving by, and at least one person went inside just after the murder - but left without realizing the clerk was down behind the counter.

Detectives describe what happened at the gas station as an execution. The killer went in - shot the clerk - and in 4 seconds was running out the door.

Police hope someone recognizes the clothing worn by the shooter, or his accomplice in what appears to be a white plastic mask, or unusual tennis shoes worn by the gunman.

"Looking at the video it looks like the gun went off and he didn't know what to do after that. There's no hesitation, he's in the door, by the clerk, shoots and out the other door," said Sgt. Dave Walker, Tulsa Police.

The store had several cameras that show the two suspects outside the south door. Only the killer went inside and when the shot was fired, the accomplice ran away.

Police believe at least one of the suspects is a young white man, but the suspects were almost completely covered.

"The shooter is in black mask and gloves, the accomplice is in white mask and gloves. We don't have a car description, and they got there somehow or they live in the neighborhood," Walker said.

The clerk was 55-year-old Peggy Gayten, who police say was a well liked divorced woman raising her 5-year-old grandchild.

Detectives believe she was killed during what was intended to be a robbery, and they have a video of the murder that shows the awful scene.

"She looked up about the same time the gun went off, so he wasn't yelling or screaming; she wasn't startled. As soon as the shot went off, he left, so it was like there was very little conversation," Walker said.

The shooter is described as a white male, 19 to 23 years old, 5'8"to 5'11", 150 to 170 pounds, wearing a royal blue hooded sweatshirt, black ski mask, black gloves, black jeans and white with black trim tennis shoes.

The accomplice is described as being 5'8" to 5'10", 150 to 170 pounds, wearing a royal blue hooded sweatshirt, white mask, white gloves, black jeans and white tennis shoes.

According to he store's surveillance video, both the shooter and accomplice ran to the east after the shooting.

This is the city of Tulsa's 53rd homicide of the year.

If you have any information on the two men police ask you to call Crime Stoppers at 918-596-COPS, the Homicide Tip Line at 918-798-8477 or e-mail homicide@cityoftulsa.org.