According to police, the suspect was taken to a Staten Island precinct for questioning around noon. Charges were announced later Thursday afternoon.
The victim, 67-year-old Elgudzha Koyenishvili, was shot twice in the torso during the holdup of Discount Wines and Liquors at 118 Lincoln Avenue at around 8:15 p.m. Wednesday night.
Koyenishvili was rushed to Staten Island University Hospital North, where he was pronounced dead.
Police say the alleged gunman was seen pacing outside the store before bursting in with a gun. He grabbed the cash register and opened fire on Koyenishvili.
Koyenishvili, an immigrant from the former Soviet Union, owned the liquor store for the past several years. Neighbors said he was a well-liked, hard working man.
A witness spotted a blue pickup truck fleeing the scene of the slaying, and detectives tracked it to one of Lanorith's neighbors, who said he lent the car to Lanorith.
Additionally, a baseball bat was recovered at the scene, and it appears the victim was using it to defend himself when he was shot.
