Hinesville police Officer James Williams is heartbroken over the death of Hakeem Lamar Clark, the 21-year-old city resident who was gunned down Saturday night during a robbery in Savannah.

Williams, who lived across the street from Clark on Melony Drive in Hinesville, said Clark was always smiling and friendly.  

“This is heartbreaking,” said Williams, who had known Clark for more than seven years. “(Clark) was a respectful, hardworking young man who came from a wonderful family.”

Williams learned of Clark’s death through social media when his wife told him about the shooting and whose son it was.

“How is it that a very respectful, hardworking gentleman with a great head on his shoulder gets his life taken?” Williams wrote Sunday on his Facebook page.

Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police are investigating the fatal shooting and robbery, which took place Saturday night in the parking lot of a post office.

Clark died at Memorial University Medical Center, where he was transported after the 11:18 p.m. shooting, police said in a news release issued Sunday.

Violent Crimes detectives are seeking information on two slender black males with hats or caps over their faces who were attempting to rob Clark and three friends in the parking lot at West Bay and Fahm streets when the shooting took place. Both were wearing dark pants. One wore a striped shirt and the other a white shirt, police said.

The four male victims were standing in front of their vehicles in the parking lot, discussing plans for the night, when the two suspects walked up and demanded their valuables. During the robbery, Clark was shot, according to police.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 912-234-2020 or text CRIMES (274637) using the keyword CSTOP2020. Tipsters remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward.

A tip line also is open directly to investigators at 912-525-3124, and most area clergy have agreed to serve as liaisons for anyone who would like to share information with police anonymously.