By james art 
WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – A man is in jail after investigators say he shot a Monkey Junction convenience store worker, Mark Paz, who confronted the man about shoplifting.
As the alleged shooter, Dean Newman sits behind bars, friends and family are remembering the victim of the tragic shooting at the Monkey Junction Walmart, Mark Paz.
One of Paz’s friends says she is heartbroken. She says having him as a friend means having him as a friend for life.
They describe him as a true gentleman and a true friend who want to be remembered for who he was, not just the victim of a senseless act of gun violence.
“Everybody’s talking about the guy who shot him. What about the guy that got shot,” said Susie Burkett, one of Paz’s close friends.
That’s the question Burkett wants everyone to ask when they hear about the shooting Saturday night at the Monkey Junction Walmart.
“He was at work. He worked at Walmart, you’d think your workplace was safe, but how do we know it won’t happen again?” Burkett asked.
Newman – is charged with first degree murder.
“It’s not fair that he’s gone,” Burkett said.
But Burkett doesn’t want people to focus on that.
“Every time someone posts that picture on that person’s picture, I post Mark’s picture right below it,” Burkett said.
This is because she wants people to know and remember Mark.
“He was a friend to everyone, no matter who you were or what you did. He was your friend. He would give you the shirt off his back if you asked for one.
He was a man her husband called his best friend.
“They played golf together. Mark came over and had barbecues with us, Thanksgiving dinners with us, and he was just a wonderful friend to my husband.
Burkett says that because of a senseless act of gun violence, Mark will not go through these things again.
Now she wants justice and will be in court next time Newman is on November 21.
“I’ll be there with Mark’s picture in my hands for the judge to see. You know, even if I have to sit in the front row, I’ll sit there so they can see Mark’s face.
Burkett says she has invited her husband, some of Paz’s family and other friends to talk to WECT, but they say it’s still too early.
There will be a candlelight vigil for Paz on Saturday, November 9th at 6:00 pm in the parking lot behind Wendy’s, next to Walmart.
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