Bergen shopowner killed in robbery was Rockland resident

Update: Police say the shooting was premeditated and NOT a robbery

A South Hackensack store owner from Rockland County died Sunday afternoon of injuries sustained when he was shot in his Route 46 shop Saturday night, as authorities continued their search for his killer.

“It’s a murder investigation now,” a law enforcement official told CLIFFVIEW PILOT moments after Richard Zarriello, 51, of Chestnut Ridge, NY, expired at Hackensack University Medical Center around 3:45 Sunday afternoon.

Zarriello was struck at least once in the head by seven shots at his Clean Sweep Chimney Depot on westbound Route 46 just before 7 p.m. Saturday, a source with direct knowledge of the incident told CLIFFVIEW PILOT Saturday night.