BELLAIRE, Texas – Surveillance video of the man wanted in the fatal shooting of a Bellaire pizza shop employee has been released by police.
Sunday night Peter Mielke, 19, was shot and killed during a robbery attempt at Reginelli's Pizza at 5303 Bissonnet.
Bellaire police released Tuesday surveillance video from a nearby bank. The alleged shooter, who police note has a distinctive jaw line, can be seen wearing all black clothing and walking by the bank.
“I just hope they can get him the best they can,” said Tristan Davis, who works at Reginelli’s Pizza. “The cops are doing a great job.”
Davis said he was inside the restaurant Sunday night when the shooting happened. He and a few friends stopped by a growing memorial outside Reginelli’s Tuesday afternoon to show their support for Mielke.
“He was a warm, heartfelt guy who cared about everybody and lost his life too soon,” Davis said.
Anyone with information about the man's identity is asked to call the Bellaire Police Department at 713-668-0487. Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information. The hotline number is 713-222-TIPS.
Earlier story
A memorial of flowers and candles continues to grow just outside this pizza place where 19-year-old Peter Meilke was gunned down while working.
One woman, who is also a friend of the victim, is a regular at Reginellis and was often waited on by Mielke. She said, "He will always be remembered and I hope people will still come with the family and support."
Today though, she brought flowers in his memory, still struggling with the fact he's gone after what authorities believe was a robbery gone wrong.
Darryl Reginelli, the restaurant's owner explained, "Every time I'd walk in the door he was smiling and happy. He was a really great young guy."
Investigators say an armed suspect came into the restaurant around 9:30 Sunday night to rob the place.
They say Meilke appeared to be complying after the suspect demanded money, but was then shot multiple times and died.
The friend said, "Deeply, deeply sorry for the family and friends. It was a big loss."
Meilke was a recent graduate from Bellaire High School and played varsity football.
Now, friends are coming together to show support for his family and to remember a life senselessly cut short as police look for the person who killed him.
"The guy or coward, he will pay somehow. Sooner or later, he will pay it," Meilke's friend said.