HENRICO COUNTY, Va. -- The stabbing victim who stumbled into the Ollie's Bargain Outlet on Gayton Road in western Henrico Monday night looking for help has died. The man, identified by friends and family as Tom Clinton McCauley, suffered stab wounds and a deep cut to his neck.
The victim needed more than 10 blood transfusions to be stabilized, according to Crime Insider sources.
Police said McCauley was 27 years old, and that he died January 10.
Two days before, at approximately 6:35 p.m., Henrico Police and Fire responded to the Ollie’s Discount Store located at 12450 Gayton Road for a medical emergency. Officers located an adult male victim who had been stabbed. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment of life threatening injuries.
McCauley was 2009 graduate of Tucker High School in Henrico's West End, according to friends.
"I can’t imagine anyone that knows him would do that to him. "He is very nice and friendly, " friend Shae Finley said. "He loved [his cats] like his own children."
"Devastated,” said Melissa Ailstock, who worked at a local sandwich shop with McCauley. “We heard the news and we got quiet. Tears rolling down. We didn't know what to do."
She described him as a hard worker who was making every effort to push forward in life. She said he adored his fiancée and treated her child like it was his.
"He was amazing,” Ailstock said. “He always came to work on time-sometimes he showed up an hour early, definitely one of our best workers here."
"I never thought anything like this would happen to Tom," said Ailstock.
Police are pretty sure whatever happened, happened in the parking lot, but why he was attacked is still unknown.
And while investigators follow leads to catch a killer, friends, family and colleagues wrestle with the fact that they'll never see McCauley's smiling face again
"He always made you laugh. He was always cheerful, a great friend to all of us. "
This remains a developing story. Witnesses can send news tips and photos here.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Henrico Police at (804) 501-5000 or Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000. Citizens can also text Crime Stoppers at 274637, using the key word “ITip” followed by their tip. Both Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous.
