By Mike Hazlip—
The Elliott’s Fine Nutrition store on Greenback Lane has permanently closed its doors, after the owner was killed during an East Sacramento robbery.
Charles Starzynski, 70, was shot and killed on Oct. 20, according to a report by the Sacramento Bee. Starzynski owned Elliott’s Fine Nutrition stores with his wife, Karsan Elliott, and formerly worked as a program director at Capitol Public Radio.
Elliott’s Fine Nutrition announced the closure of the Citrus Heights location in a statement on the business’s Facebook page, saying the closure was due to “a shocking and untimely death” in the Elliott family. The store’s final day was Nov. 30.
“This death has caused a traumatic effect on our operation and forces us to make immediate changes,” the announcement said. “We ask for your cooperation and assistance as we address this challenge. We apologize for the abrupt changes required, and for the inconvenience.”
Merchandise and displays have already been moved out of the Citrus Heights location, and the interior was dark during a Thursday visit by Sentinel staff. A sign on the door reads “Thank you for your business,” and points customers to the company’s two other stores, Elliott’s Fine Nutrition in Folsom, and Elliott’s Natural Foods in Sacramento.
Starzynski’s death was the 49th homicide this year in Sacramento, according to The Bee. The paper reported the shooting happened near 39th and N streets around 12:30 p.m., in an alley near Sutter Lawn Tennis Club.
A 23-year-old suspect, DeSean Leon Brasser, Jr., was arrested within 24 hours of the shooting, after police quickly identified and located him at an apartment complex in Sacramento’s Pocket neighborhood.
Online inmate records show Brasser was booked into jail at 1:35 a.m on Oct. 21. He is charged with felony murder and is ineligible for bail. Records show his next court appearance is slated for Dec. 15.