Robert Bob Bettison, 79, was the longtime owner of Bettison’s Grocery in Pelham, Georgia. In October 2018 he was killed during an armed robbery at his store when an assailant seized his revolver and shot him. A medical examiner testified Bettison suffered three gunshot wounds to the chest, lungs, and brain.

Surveillance footage from inside the store and a nearby business was used to identify two suspects, Jerrod Johnson and Herbert Lamar Laster. Prosecutors said Laster distracted Bettison by buying a bag of chips while Johnson attacked from behind, took the revolver, and shot Bettison. After discovering the bank bags taken initially were empty, Johnson returned, shot Bettison again and stole about $400.

Both men were arrested and indicted in January 2019 on charges including felony murder and armed robbery. At the July 2019 trial the jury convicted Johnson on all charges; Laster was convicted of felony murder, armed robbery, and two counts of aggravated assault but acquitted of malice murder and a firearm possession charge. Each man was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Anyone who knew Bettison or has information about the store the night of the robbery is asked to share what they remember.