Man charged with killing Oceanside clerk at Valley Stream convenience store

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Federal authorities reportedly charged a Queens man on Friday with the December killing of an Oceanside clerk at a Valley Stream convenience store.

Edwin Lopez, 36, of Oceanside, was found with a gunshot wound at AL Mini Mart, at 91 Ocean Ave. in Valley Stream, on the night of Dec. 16.

Eastern District prosecutor Christopher Caffarone said Jermaine Jackson, of Queens Village, shot Lopez after he tried to push the gun away, Newsday reported. Jackson pleaded not guilty to a firearm-related murder charge and six other counts in federal court in Central Islip.

Lopez was discovered and rushed to nearby Long Island Jewish Valley Stream Hospital that December evening, but was pronounced dead about an hour later. Police had been searching for the shooter.

Neighbors and friends of the Lopez family left flowers, candles and handwritten signs in front of the store a few days later. The business was temporarily closed following the incident.