By William A. Weathers
The Cincinnati Enquirer

NEWTOWN - The 45-year-old night clerk who was fatally wounded during a robbery at a Church Avenue convenience store early Sunday was a friendly, dedicated employee, said those who knew him.

Milford resident James Chisenhall, who suffered multiple gunshot wounds, died at University Hospital shortly after he was discovered lying on the floor of the Ameristop Express store's office area about 1:55 a.m., the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office said.

Newtown police officers responded to the store at 3804 Church St. after witnesses reported discovering the clerk lying on the floor, the sheriff's office said.

Upon arrival at the store - which sells Shell gasoline - officers determined that the victim had been shot several times during a robbery.

Newtown Police Chief Daryl Zornes requested assistance on the case from the Hamilton County Sheriff's Criminal Investigations Section.

Monica Lippmeier, owner of the Iron Skillet restaurant next door to the gas station in the village of about 2,400 residents, remembered Chisenhall as a happy and talkative person.

"He was very nice," Lippmeier said. "He was always happy. He always had something to say. He loved working third shift."

Tony Parnigoni, Ameristop's chief operating officer, said Sunday that Chisenhall had worked at the store for about two years.

"First and foremost, our hearts and prayers are with the family of James Chisenhall,'' Parnigoni said.

"This is a horrible, tragic event. James was a truly dedicated and excellent associate of our company. He will be missed by all of us, including many customers who grew to know him over the years."

Parnigoni said his Cold Spring, Ky.-based company is "committed to helping the Chisenhall family emotionally and financially during this difficult time."

The incident remains under investigation by the sheriff's office.

Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff's criminal investigations section at 851-6000 or Crime Stoppers at 352-3040.