17-year-old arrested in slaying of Missouri City clerk


By ERIC HANSON

MISSOURI CITY -- A 17-year-old has been arrested and charged with murder
in the death of a convenience store clerk during a robbery last month,
police said.

Raymond Whitcher of Missouri City, was taken into custody about 2:30
p.m. Wednesday, said Missouri City police Capt. John Bailey. Bond for
Whitcher has been set has $1 million.

Whitcher is charged in the death of Ashok Bhattarai, 21, who was shot
about 10 p.m. Sept. 28 at the 1st Food Stop at 2563 Cartwright, police
said.

Police said a surveillance video shows the gunman threw open the front
door of the store and aimed a rifle at Bhattarai.

After shooting the clerk, the robber walked behind the counter, emptied
the safe of about $5,000, then fled.

No further information was immediately available.

eric.hanson@chron.com