When an armed man shot a clerk at a small grocery store in southeast Portland on Sunday afternoon, he critically injured his victim and shattered the peace of a quiet, artistic neighborhood unaccustomed to violent crime.

KGW Photo

Police collect clues at the scene of the shooting in the Belmont store.

Witnesses told KGW the 41-year-old man was shot in the head inside a market at SE 34th and Belmont just before 4 p.m.

According to police, Chester Yeom was working behind the cash register Sunday as a favor to the store owner, a friend of his. Yeom does not usually work at the store; he owns a popular teriyaki shop in the U.S. Bank Tower.

Yeom was taken to Oregon Health and Science University where he was listed in critical condition at last report. Police said he was the random victim of a botched robbery attempt.

Friends describe Yeom as a generous man and father to a 14-year-old son and 12-year-old daughter.

The suspect was described as a clean shaven, 25-35-year-old Hispanic or Asian male, standing about 5'8"-5'9" tall with a stocky build, and weighing approximately 170-200 pounds. He was wearing a black hooded coat, faded jeans, a dark pullover shirt, white tennis shoes, and dark glasses.

Detectives believe the suspect fled the area in a burnt-orange colored 2002-2003 Chevrolet Corvette with a black soft top, five-spoke mag wheels, and lightly tinted windows.

Authorities urged anyone with information about the case to call (503) 823-0449 or (503) 823-4003.