Police release video of Salinas homicide in search for suspects. (Warning: Graphic Video)

This is the kind of senseless violence there’s no way to rationalize. At about 9:30 on Friday night, three friends were chatting at the Hot Stop in Salinas, a convenience store on Williams Avenue, when two masked men walked in and brutally attacked them.

The three victims, in their 50s and 60s, never fought back. They raised their hands, and at times covered their faces, but never tried to flee or strike their assailants. Within a minute and a half, all three had been shot multiple times. Fifty-five-year-old Sook Mi Oh died of her injuries.

She and another woman had been visiting a friend who was working the register. He has been treated for his injuries released from the hospital; the second woman remains in critical but stable condition.

The two attackers acted quickly, and never even stole anything; the register was never even opened.

“This is one of the most savage robberies we have ever seen here,” Police Chief Kelly McMillin told reporters Wednesday.

Salinas Police released surveillance video footage of the armed robbery and homicide on Wednesday afternoon, as they search for leads and try to identify the suspects.

They did so over objections from Oh’s family, who asked that the graphic images not be made public, but police hope that viewers may recognize the assailants, based on their posture and body type. The taller of the two may be nursing a broken hand, which he appears to have injured after repeatedly striking the man behind the register.

“We hate to put this video out there, but we feel there is a compelling public interest reason to do so,” McMillin said. “If they're willing to do this to these innocent, compliant, incredibly non-threatening victims, they will do this to anyone.”

The Weekly is posting the video, in which the victims’ faces have been blurred out, to aid in the search for suspects. Warning: It is graphic.

The video shows the two men, both covered in masks, hoods and gloves, revealing not even a sliver of skin. The shorter, stockier one of the two, about 5-foot-4, carried a dark-colored revolver with a wooden handle. He shot all three people, and struck Oh repeatedly on the head with his revolver after she was down on the floor.

The taller man, about 6-foot, carried a red-handled boxcutter. He held it out menacingly. He also punched the man behind the register after he was shot, as the victim appears to continue trying to open the register to comply. After the attacker winced and shook his hand, apparently in pain, the two left the store on foot.

Police are also looking for vehicles connected to the crime. A crime tip led to an extensive manhunt from Salinas to Chualar yesterday in pursuit of a 1999 white Chevy Malibu. One woman was taken into custody but later released, apparently unconnected to the violent crime.

McMillin says associates or even past crime partners may be able to identify the pair and may be willing to turn them in: “Even in the world of people that do this kind of thing, this is inexcusable.”

Detectives want to hear from anyone who might recognize these men or have any leads. Tips are accepted anonymously. Call Ken Schwener at 758-7276 or Gerry Magana at 758-7129 with information.