Paul Matthew Zeller was 24 years old when he was killed on June 30, 2006. The slaying is still shrouded in mystery, and his family is constantly seeking answers.
He was a loved son, uncle, brother and friend. After returning from serving in Iraq, Zeller was living with his sister until the night he was killed.
“Paul was a great brother. He was the youngest of the family and a kid brother with a lot of energy, and a really funny, dry sense of humor. He was also a great uncle for my kids,” Lydia Robertson said.
Zeller was planning on moving out of his sister's home the next day in order to be closer to his work at a car dealership in College Park. He took the Metro from College Park to Pentagon City where he stopped at Harris Teeter for cigarettes.
“We don't know of any provocation that happened inside the store or anything or nothing that happened outside,” Detective Kevin Norwood said.
However, after leaving Harris Teeter and crossing the Pentagon Row outdoor shopping area Zeller was shot more than once, from the front, from a distance of 10 to 12 feet -- his blood hitting the building above the doors.
“The way it was done, the violence and brutality of it almost just seems to me, though, it's more than just a happenstance type of crime. Seems like there's some sort of connection to the killer,” Norwood said.
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Norwood and the family are still searching for answers.
“The unfortunate part of this case is that we just don't find a motive the incident. And I think if we could find a motive for it, it would definitely help lead us to the killer. We really believe that someone here knows what happened or at least a piece of it or has heard talk about it. And I just really plea that someone who knows some information will make that call,” Norwood said.
The family hopes that someone will come forward with information to help justice be served and in order to protect other families from Zeller’s fate. Zeller's family and friends and Harris Teeter Grocery stores have combined to put up a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction Zeller's killer.
Investigators ask that you call Crimesolvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (1-866-411-8477). In addition, the Zeller family has put together a Web site devoted to Paul and his life.
