AKRON, Ohio — A 48-year-old man has died several weeks after he was shot at a Sunoco gas station in the 800 block of Lovers Lane in Akron back on Sept. 1.
The man, who has been identified as Torres Bruster of Akron, was an innocent bystander when a patron got into an argument with the gas station attendant, according to the Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office. The gas station attendant reportedly fired a shot at the patron, but struck Bruster instead.
"According to the cashier, a dispute with a customer over incorrect change escalated when the man reportedly made threats to killer her," Akron police said in a press release. "During the encounter, the man began damaging the store, throwing items at the cashier and trying to grab her through the plexiglass divider."
During the altercation, police say the cashier pulled out a handgun, which discharged and struck the bystander in the upper body.
On Thursday, Oct. 20, Akron Police announced that the store clerk, 55-year-old Gurnider Banvait was arrested and is being charged with Negligent Homicide.
Bruster was taken to the hospital after the shooting, but 3News learned Wednesday morning that he has passed away.
An autopsy has not yet been completed.
The person identified in the alleged dispute with the cashier has been identified as 34-year-old Andre Lee. Police say he fled the location after the shooting, but was later taken into custody after detectives traced him back to an address in the 800 block of Bertha Avenue. He was charged with aggravated menacing in connection with the incident inside the store. Police say he also had two unrelated outstanding warrants for his arrest, including one for an alleged felony offense.
The clerk's handgun was recovered at the scene.
The incident remains under investigation.
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Editor's note: Video in the player above was originally published in an unrelated story on Oct. 17, 2022.