The NYPD has called in the FBI to help with investigating the murders of three shopkeepers in Brooklyn.
Investigators says there could be a connection between the most recent death of a store owner and several prior killings that may have been based on the victims' addresses.
"Earlier this evening, the New York Police Department formally requested the FBI's assistance with a series of homicides in Brooklyn, New York over the last five months," Supervisory Special Agent Martin Feely said. "The FBI will be providing assistance, to include expertise from the Behavioral Analysis Unit."
The FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit provides help on complex cases, including those involving spree and serial killings.
Cops want to speak with four people captured on surveillance video who may have seen the suspect and possible serial killer in the case of the slaying of a boutique owner on Friday night.
Officers found Vahidipour Rahmatollah, 78, of Great Neck, N.Y., lying with a gunshot wound to the head in the rear of She-She Boutique on 834 Flatbush Avenue.
Authorities believe he was shot while at the counter and dragged into the back of the store where the suspect covered the victim's body with clothes.
The shooting is similar to two other murders of Brooklyn store owners that occurred over the summer.
In both of those incidents, authorities say there is a possible link to numerology and an obsession with the numbers 1, 7 and 8.
The address of Friday's killing included the number 8. The victim's store address was 834 Flatbush Avenue. All three shootings were committed with a .22-caliber handgun.
Two prior deadly shootings happened on July 6, when Mohammed Gebeli, 65, was found shot to death at his clothing store at 7718 Fifth Avenue.
On August 2, Isaac Kadare, 59, was found dead in his Bensonhurst store at 1877 86th Street.
The NYPD has offered rewards of $22,000 in each of the homicides for information leading to the arrests and convictions of the person or persons responsible.
Anyone with information about the shootings is encouraged to contact the NYPD Crime Stoppers hot-line anonymously:
1-800-577 TIPS (8477)
www.nypdcrimestoppers.com
Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477)
Text your tips to CRIMES (274637), then enter TIP577
Police want to speak with 4 individuals captured on surveillance video who may have seen the suspect.
