Police say a Crown Heights father and son were killed when they tried to defend their store from robbers Wednesday night.

Investigators say two gunmen entered the bodega at 309 Utica Ave. and demanded cash. When the owner, 55-year-old Mohammed Mansor Abuzaid and his 18-year-old son, Abdul Kareem Mansor Abuzaid, showed resistance, the robbers forced the two men into the basement and shot them dead.

Authorities say a third person was struck with a firearm during the robbery and was taken to the hospital for treatment.

Isaac Hager, the bodega's landlord, says the store was probably targeted because it is open 24 hours a day.

"In the store there's a lot of money because they sell a lot of lotto and cigarettes," he says.

Customer Lynn Ferguson says there was a simple safety feature in place at the bodega that could have saved the victims' lives. Ferguson says at night, store personnel used to lock the front door and switch to window service for their protection.

"They're not supposed to have the door open," she says. "We're supposed to go to the window."

So far, no arrests have been made in the case. Police are canvassing the area and combing through surveillance footage in their search for clues.