'I saw the gunman who shot my fiancée': Man tells of moment he found body of girlfriend killed in pharmacy massacre



Fiancé found girlfriend with bullet wound to back of her head

Killer walked by him moments before he entered

Shooter wanted prescription painkillers

Addict rampage is latest in rising tide of 'pill-head' robberies



Two customers and two workers killed in shooting

17-year-old girl was due for prom on Wednesday

The fiancé of a woman slain in Sunday's brutal pharmacy killing spoke today of how he discovered his girlfriend's corpse among four dead staff and shoppers.



James Manzella went to check on 'the love of his life' Jamie Taccetta, 33, after dropping her off at Haven Drugs in Medford, Long Island.

Incredibly, Mr Manzella only went to check on Jamie after seeing the bearded killer leave the pharmacy and calmly walk away from the scene.

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Tragic: Jamie Taccetta (left) was shot in the head and discovered by her fiancé James Manzella after he dropped her off at the pharmacy

Speaking to the New York Post, Mr Manzella said: 'I saw the guy walk out, and I thought something was weird.

Motherless: Little Kaitlyn, 5, is now without her mother after she was gunned down on Sunday

'So I turned the car off to check on her [Jamie]. I walked to the front.'

He then stumbled upon the horrific scenes inside the store, finding Jamie as well as a second victim Bryon Sheffield, 71, dead.



'Can you imagine sitting there in air conditioning, listening to music, and then the next minute she's gone,' he said.



'It was horrible, man. It was something I'll never forget. I'll never forget what I saw. It's stuck in me.'

Mr Manzella, an electrician, planned to marry physical therapist Jamie in October.

She had two daughters - Miranda, 16, and Kaitlyn, 5.

A distraught Mr Manzella said he was haunted by the fact he saw the killer moments after the shooting took place.

He added: 'I could see the guy clearly, and now I think back if I could have done something.

'That's what messes with you. We were two average people trying to do the right thing, and this is what happens. It's not fair.'

It emerged today that the ruthless gunman who shot four pharmacy workers and customers dead on Sunday was hunting for prescription painkillers.

Junkie: These images, taken from the security camera at the Haven Pharmacy, appear to show the gunman perusing the shelves for drugs

In what is thought be the latest in a string of drug fuelled robberies, the killer stormed the family-owned Haven Drugs pharmacy looking for the painkillers, according to police.



A massive manhunt for the killer is now into its second day after Suffolk County homicide detectives found the bodies at about 60 miles east of New York City.

Shot dead: Jennifer Mejia, who worked at the pharmacy in Medford, Long Island

Shock: The owner of a Pharmacy in Medford, NY collapses when he arrives at the store, following a shooting that killed four people.

A pharmacist, a teenage worker, and two customers were killed when the gunman opened fire inside the store at roughly 10am.

CCTV footage shows the gunman shooting at close range, before filling his backpack with prescription painkillers.

The killing comes as DEA agents have been calling on Long Island pharmacists to boost security after recording a 125-percent increase in pharmacy hold-ups 2009 and 2010.



Addicts and dealers are so desperate to get their hands on the painkillers they often leave money behind during the raids as they hunt for more drugs.



Yesterday a teenage girl, just days from graduating high school, was identified as 17-year-old Jennifer Mejia, a senior at Bellport High School in Brookhaven.



Yesterday her father, Rene Mejia - an immigrant from El Salvador - described her as a 'wonderful daughter'.

She had worked at the pharmacy for about two years and wished him a happy Father's Day early Sunday morning as she left for work.



Speaking to the New York Post Rene said: 'This morning she told me, 'Happy Father's Day.'

'She was in a hurry to go to work.



'I held her and said, 'It's okay,' because in my country, Father's Day is Friday. I feel better because I held her.'

Other victims were reported to be Raymond Ferguson, 45 - who also worked at the store - as well as customers Bryon Sheffield, 71, a grandfather, and Jamie Taccetta, 33.

Rene, speaking outside their home, said his daughter was looking forward to her prom on Wednesday. 'Now I just see the dress inside,' he said.

'You have to remember all of the good things.'

His other daughter Leslie, was also supposed to work at the store that day.

'They were supposed to work today, her and my younger daughter. Leslie didn't go to work today,' he said.



The 30-year-old drugstore had been robbed before, according to Mr Mejia.

He added that despite this, his daughter was not afraid.

Speaking to the Post, he added: 'She said people would come in and demand prescription medicine sometimes. People wanted the strong stuff.



'This was a heavy-duty pharmacy, not like Duane Reade.'

Innocent beauty: Jennifer Mejia was among the four slaughtered in the suspected robbery on Sunday

Hunted: Surveillance video of the man that police suspect of shooting and killing four people at a pharmacy

Emotional: This picture, taken from her Facebook tribute page, shows a happy Miss Mejia (Centre) with friends

Kimberly Jimenez, 18, a friend and classmate, said Miss Mejia's 'ambition was to help people.'

'She was never a troubled person. For this to happen, it's so random. Crazy - crazy.'

Shaken residents converged on the crime scene and described the pharmacy as a mom-and-pop shop where employees knew people by name.

'They know you, they know who you are,' said Nicole Kaiser, 27. 'This isn't that type of town. I can't believe it.'

A special Facebook page set up to remember the slain high school student was flooded with tributes.

Jalissa Ware posted: 'R.I.P Jenn ♥ we love youu and miss youu. I swear it feels like yesterdayy you were yellin my name in class, or we wud both compare our failing grades in math :/'

Another, Marz Idgaf, wrote: 'My little cousin is now in a better place and thats what keeps me going i love you so much jenn all we have is memories and i deff. had some good ones with you.'

Tribute: A small memorial to Miss Mejia is seen on the sidewalk near the pharmacy where the shootings occurred

Brave: Mr Mejia said the drugstore had been robbed before

A 911 emergency call was placed from the store's parking lot and when police arrived they found bodies inside.



The drug store's owner Vinoda Kudchadkar arrived after the shooting but fainted when he discovered the scene of carnage inside

He was taken to the hospital.

Popular: Miss Mejia poses with another friend

Hunt: Police are looking for the gunman, who is still at large

Gunned down: Police received a 911 call from the parking lot behind the pharmacy

Speaking to the Post, neighbour Dr. Edgar Barrero said : 'He's had heart problems before. He must be devastated.'



Police said they were looking for a lone shooter wearing a baseball cap and backpack who was seen leaving the scene.

Suffolk County Chief of Detectives Dominick Varrone said: 'This is a vicious, horrible crime. We are dedicating a great number of resources. Right now, our primary interest is apprehending the individual or individuals involved.'



Investigators took a laptop from the drugstore and are searching for surveillance footage that may have captured the suspect.