'Completely irreplaceable': Police say Columbus man died trying to stop robbery near Polaris

Alejandro Fajardo-Torres was not the type of man to let something wrong happen in front of him without trying to do something about it.

And that's what Columbus police told Fajardo-Torres' fiancé, April Jewell, happened inside an AutoZone auto parts store Thursday evening near Polaris Fashion Place.

Detectives said Friday that around 5:10 p.m. Thursday, two suspects went into the AutoZone store at 8838 Sancus Blvd. in an attempted armed robbery. The 18-year-old cashier was struck with a firearm, Jewell said.

Fajardo-Torres, 43, who had a concealed carry permit and was armed, tried to intervene, detectives told Jewell.

Police said the gunman shot Fajardo-Torres, who died at the scene. The store was less than a half-mile from his Columbus Far North Side home.

"He was a hero in a way," Jewell said. "If he saw that happening, there's no way he'd stand by and let that happen."

The armed robbery attempt that led to Fajardo-Torres' death has been linked to a recent crime spree, Columbus police said in a Friday afternoon release about the incident. "A preliminary investigation has linked this homicide to multiple armed robberies that occurred in recent days targeting local auto parts retailers," police said.

Detectives are now seeking help identifying two suspects in connection with the fatal shooting of Fajardo-Torres, pictured here in footage captured via surveillance cameras at the scene of Thursday's crime.

The 18-year-old cashier, who had blunt force injuries, was taken to an area hospital in stable condition. The cashier has not been identified due to protections under Marsy's Law.

Area residents said the police presence remained heavy around the AutoZone and in the neighboring apartment complex, The Edge at Polaris, until about 9 p.m. Thursday.

Jewell said Fajardo-Torres leaves behind a 10-year-old son with special needs and a large family who are all in shock at his sudden death.

"The thing I want people to know is what an extraordinary father he was," Jewell said. "He's completely irreplaceable."

The family has started an online fundraiser to raise money to cover Fajardo-Torres' funeral costs and help care for his son.

Anyone with information regarding the homicide and assault at the AutoZone or other recent robberies at auto parts stores is asked to call Detective Brandt at (614) 774-7647, the Columbus Police Homicide Unit at (614) 645-4730, or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at (614) 461-TIPS (8477).

bbruner@dispatch.com

@bethany_bruner

LCarey@Dispatch.com

@LilyLCarey

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: 'Completely irreplaceable': Police say man died trying to stop robbery