BY KEITH EPPS
A preliminary autopsy has confirmed that popular Hartwood area resident James LeRose was shot early Thursday in his thrift shop.
Police also say he was robbed.
Police initially said only that LeRose suffered severe upper-body trauma, but the cause of death was unclear. However, a family member said at the time that LeRose had been shot.
Stafford Sheriff's spokesman Bill Kennedy said the 66-year-old LeRose was also robbed of an undisclosed amount of money missing from the store.
Kennedy said the investigation thus far shows that LeRose was killed inside the Second Time Around at 1183 Warrenton Road sometime between 5:45 and 6:30 a.m.
If police have any suspects, they weren't saying yesterday.
Kennedy said police are providing no more details at this point "in an effort to not impede the ongoing investigation."
The Sheriff's Office again is asking anyone who saw anything in that area early Thursday morning to call police at 540/658-4400.
LeRose, the longtime operator of the M&P Market near the thrift shop, was found dead in his store about 8:13 a.m.
His daughter called her mother after receiving no answer at the shop shortly after 7 a.m. His wife went to the store, just east of the new Walmart on U.S. 17, and found him dead.
It was customary for LeRose to get to his store about 6 a.m. daily.
LeRose was well-known, particularly in that area of Stafford where he had lived for many years.
A number of people described him as friendly and generous, and expressed shock that anyone would want to hurt him.
Keith Epps: 540/374-5404
Email: kepps@freelancestar.com