A young Sylacauga clerk who died when he accidentally shot himself inside the store is being remember as a hard worker and dedicated employee.

Pankaj Rana, 22, died Monday at the Hop In convenience store on North Broadway Avenue and 10th Street in Sylacauga.

A GoFundMe has been launched to help his family return his remains to India for burial.

“Pankaj’s life was tragically cut short by an accident,’’ Bhavesh Patel wrote in the GoFundMe. “Pankaj had come to the USA to support his family back home and was a dedicated employee at our Sylacauga, AL. gas station.”

Police officers were dispatched to the store about 12:45 p.m. Monday. The 911v call was made by a firefighter who stopped at the store to make a purchase and found the clerk – identified as Rana – lying in a pool of blood behind the counter. There was a handgun next to him.

Police Chief Kelley Johnson said an investigation was immediately launched. Video from the store’s surveillance cameras showed that Rana accidentally shot himself in the head while looking at the store owner’s gun that was kept behind the counter for protection.

The chief said Rana’s death was ruled accidental by the county coroner after he, too, reviewed, the store video.

Patel said Rana’s family wants their son to return Haryana, India.

“Pankaj’s family back in India is now faced with the daunting task of arranging his funeral, repatriating his remains to India and fulfilling the financial debts that were made for his journey to the US. Pankaj’s father took the loan to send his son to USA for his bright future,’’ Patel wrote. “We are raising funds to not only honor Pankaj’s memory with the proper farewell, but to support his family in this time of need.”

Donations to the GoFundMe can be made here.