Southern California father shot and killed while working at local mall

Loved ones are devastated after a beloved father was shot and killed at a San Bernardino County mall.

On Oct. 6, deputies responded to reports of a shooter at the Victorville Galleria at around 3:20 p.m. on a busy Sunday afternoon.

The victim, known by the nickname “Daffy Jaybyrd,” owned an electronics store inside the mall where his family said he could fix just about anything.

“My dad was literally loved in the whole community,” said Mimi Taylor, the victim’s daughter. “He was a one-stop shop.”

Taylor said her father’s nickname was inspired by his favorite classic cartoons. He had operated his store for about six years and was passionate about helping his customers.

“Electronics, home appliances — he sold everything,” Taylor said. “He could fix phones, tablets, Fire sticks. After hours, he went home and he’s still working on people’s stuff until 4 in the morning.”

Taylor said she initially heard of a shooting taking place at her father’s storefront on social media. She, along with her mother and siblings, rushed over to the mall where they learned the devastating news — the person who was killed was her father.

“I was in disbelief, “Taylor told KTLA’s Shelby Nelson. “I said, ‘No one is going to come murder my dad at his own shop.’”

The gunman fled the mall before deputies could arrive and remained at large on Tuesday night.

Although the motive is unclear and no details have been released by detectives, family members believe the shooter may have been a disgruntled customer.

“They were mad about some electronics because I guess my dad didn’t get it in time to fix it,” Taylor said.

Many questions remain and his loved ones are hoping the suspect is caught soon.

“I just want to know the real truth,” Taylor said. “Who did it and just get justice for my dad.”

A makeshift memorial filled with candles can be seen near the mall’s entrance honoring the beloved father.

A GoFundMe page to help the victim’s family with funeral expenses can be found here.

The Victorville Galleria remained closed since Sunday but will reopen to the public on Wednesday, Oct. 9.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department at 909-884-0156.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.