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Store owner’s shooting unsolved

Salisbury

More than six months after the fatal shooting of a 36-year-old Clovis man, there is no new information in the case, according to police. But the victim’s family is still waiting and hoping for answers.

Emmett Salisbury’s mother has been waiting for news of arrests in connection with her son’s death in January.

Vassie Salisbury said she wants anybody responsible for her son’s death apprehended and brought to face justice.

“Things are just at a standstill. It’s upsetting but there’s nothing I can do,” she said.

Emmett Salisbury was found dead Jan. 8 in a second-hand shop he ran with his partner on Grand Avenue.

Police said he died from a single gunshot wound to the chest about 12 hours prior to his body being discovered.

The case is still under investigation, Clovis Police Capt. Patrick Whitney said Thursday.

Evidence collected through the investigation was sent to the state crime lab for analysis but results have not been received yet, Whitney said.

“We’re held at bay by what the crime lab is doing,” he said. There’s a lot of things we can’t do until we get information.”

Whitney said every criminal investigation is different. Sometimes witnesses come forward and lead police to a suspect quickly. Other times investigators have to rely on evidence and forensic testing, he said.

Whitney declined to comment on whether two Clovis teens being held on armed robbery charges are suspects in the case. District Attorney Matt Chandler previously referred to the two as “persons of interest” in connection with the homicide.

Chandler on Thursday referred inquiries on the case to the police department.

Larry McClendon, 19, and Anthony Wallace, 18, are charged with four counts each of armed robbery and are being held at the Curry County Adult Detention Center while they await trial.

They were arrested a week after the homicide. Police said the robberies they are charged with occurred next to Salisbury’s store the night he was shot.

Vassie Salisbury said for now she is just waiting for answers.

Emmett Salisbury was a big help to her, the 76-year-old said, taking her out to run errands, visiting often and helping around the house.

“We were real close. I miss him,” she said.

 
 
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