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FBI analyzing hat, video from Hamburg toy store attack

Hamburg Police

Hamburg Town Police are asking the FBI for help in solving a weekend murder in a local toy store.Early Saturday morning, Laurence Wells was fatally stabbed inside the Toys 'R' Us store at McKinley and Milestrip. He died at Mercy Hospital.

Police have surveillance photos of what may be the killer, a man who left behind a Florida Gators baseball hat. The problem is that the apparent killer's face isn't clear. But forensic scientists say there is enough DNA in the hat to start processing it and prepare to submit to databases.

Hamburg Town Police say they have submitted the surveillance images to the FBI in Quantico, Virginia in hopes the face can be cleared up enough to be useful.

Police say there have been many tips and every lead is being pursued. The police Facebook page says "the outpouring of information from the public has been great." Daily updates will be posted there at 4:30 p.m.

The killer apparently was able to enter the building without being seen by workers in the store, enter an office area, and stab the victim and get away without being noticed by others in the store.

Credit Hamburg Police
A second surveillance camera image was released to the public Monday.

Police are still seeking any tips or clues to whose unrecognizable face is in the surveillance images. They say they are in the process of prioritizing leads and "methodically structuring a criminal case."

Anyone with information can call 648-5111 or Detective Scott Kashino at 648-5118, Ext. 2672.

Mike Desmond is one of Western New York’s most experienced reporters, having spent nearly a half-century covering the region for newspapers, television stations and public radio. He has been with WBFO and its predecessor, WNED-AM, since 1988. As a reporter for WBFO, he has covered literally thousands of stories involving education, science, business, the environment and many other issues. Mike has been a long-time theater reviewer for a variety of publications and was formerly a part-time reporter for The New York Times.
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