Phoenix police are looking for the suspect who shot and killed a store manager early Saturday while robbing the Walmart on 75th Avenue just north of McDowell Road, police said.

The suspect took off on foot into a nearby residential area after fatally shooting 47-year-old Peter Marquez, a support manager, in the store's parking lot just after midnight, said Sgt. Tommy Thompson, a Phoenix police spokesman.

The suspect is described as either a white or Hispanic male, in his 20s or 30s, thin build and between 5-feet, 7-inches and 5-feet, 9-inches tall. He was last seen armed with a handgun wearing a dark gray long-sleeved hoodie, blue jeans, dark shoes and sunglasses. Thompson said the suspect may or may not have been wearing a face mask.

The incident began inside the store when the suspect confronted two employees who were exchanging money into cash registers from a shopping cart, Thompson said.

The suspect held the employees at gunpoint, grabbed the shopping cart and pushed it out the door.

As the suspect exited the building, Marquez and another employee, who were both outside, started running toward the door. The suspect raised his gun and shot Marquez, Thompson said.

He then briefly paused to take some of the money out of the shopping cart and fled eastbound, crossed 75th Avenue and jumped a fence into a residential area, Thompson said.

Police set up a perimeter in the area but were unable to locate the suspect, he said.

Marquez was taken to a local hospital and pronounced dead.

Walmart spokeswoman Dianna Gee said in a statement they were working with authorities to help identify the suspect and were offering support to employees as needed.

"We are extremely saddened by what took place," Gee said in the statement. "Pete was well respected by his fellow associates. All those that worked with him always appreciated his commitment to family as well as his positive attitude. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this very difficult time. We are in close communications with them, trying to be as supportive as possible as they come to terms with their loss."

The store was to re-open at 1:30 p.m. Saturday and close at 11 p.m., officials said. Business hours on Sunday were expected to be from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Officials said the store would return to regular 24-hour operations on Monday.

Phoenix police ask anyone with information that may lead to the suspect's whereabouts to call 602-262-6141 or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS (948-6377).