An arrest warrant was issued Wednesday for Antuanne Shaw, 25. He is not in custody.
Police believe Shaw shot and killed Priscilla Mason, 28, while she was working inside the Cash Advance store at the North Duke Crossings Shopping Center.
Police said Mason was pronounced dead at the scene when they arrived at 5:34 p.m.
Investigators said the shooting was not random -- Mason knew her killer.
"He left her there, not calling for help or offering any assistance. He went in there for the sole purpose of killing her, so he is a very dangerous person in that regard," said Cpl. David Addison of the Durham Police Department.
Friends tell WRAL Shaw and Mason knew each other and had dated. Court records indicate it was a violent relationship.
Two years ago, Shaw pleaded guilty in Orange County to assaulting Mason. He received a prayer for judgment in that case and did not serve jail time.
Police said Shaw has a lengthy criminal history, which includes assault on a female charges in Wake and Durham counties. He has also been convicted in a number of cases involving weapons and drug charges.
Shaw owns a clothing store, Twizzee Styles, in northeast central Durham. Employees there have not seen him in days.
Shaw is described as a black male, 5 feet 8 inches tall and 190 pounds. He has a tattoo on his neck and right arm. He was wearing his hair in cornrows and was driving a red or burgundy minivan.
The minivan was similar to a Toyota, a Mercury or a Mazda MPV, according to police.
Police said the suspect ran out of the store and into a crowded parking lot.
"Because the parking lot was very occupied by people traveling and conducting business, hopefully someone will give us a call and help us solve this case," Addison said.
Employees of the shopping center where the shooting took place are concerned, and some did not come to work Wednesday. The shooting has caused some regular shoppers to rethink their routines.
Mason leave behind a 6-year-old daughter.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Durham police at (919) 683-1200.
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Julia Lewis
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